How old is too old for the news?

[Anonymous]

If you're a nanny for (or a SAHM to) an infant, you're probably not too worried about having the news on low in the background - but how old is too old to be exposed to it?

When I came in today my MB had the news on as both of our families live within the lockdown area in Boston, and she said I could keep it on as long as I wanted to. Her son is 13 months and never watches TV, so he's not really interested in it, but do people think it's problematic for me to have it on very low or muted in the background, just while we're waiting for an update? Obviously my MB said it was fine so in terms of what I decide to do, it'll be fine, but it got me thinking and wondering where other people stand on the issue - particularly when there is some kind of breaking news like this (and would your opinion be different if the lockdown/manhunt were happening in your city?).

[Anonymous]

I do not want the television turned on at all. Even on mute.

[Anonymous]

It's against my personal policy to have screentime on with little kids around. In an emergency situation, I'd ask someone to let me know if I need to immediately be informed about anything.

Kids pick up on everything, especially stress.

[Anonymous]

I nanny for twin 3 month olds. I am in R.I. but have family in the area of the lock down so I had the news on during the majority of the day. The babies still take long naps so while they were up, I had the volume on but when they were up, I had it muted but could still read the screen. My MB was perfectly fine with this and had no issues at all. If I had been watching kids that were older, I probably wouldn't have kept it on all day but would have turned it on when they were sleeping.

[Anonymous]

I think this is not an issue where "screentime" is really a factor. You could eliminate the screen and listen to the radio for news instead, the issue is when does over hearing the content become significant for kids. For me that age is higher, probably around 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is not an issue where "screentime" is really a factor. You could eliminate the screen and listen to the radio for news instead, the issue is when does over hearing the content become significant for kids. For me that age is higher, probably around 2.

+1

[Anonymous]

My DS is 2. I also am from Boston so I have had it on mute in the background on and off during the day. I don't think I will be able to/want to do this in a month or two. Outside this extraordinary event, I do not allow the news to be on when they are home. I never watch the local news and dvr the national news and watch it after they go to bed.

[Anonymous]

When my children were younger, I NEVER ever shielded them from the news. My personal philosophy is that children need to learn about the world that we live in. It may not always be pretty, but to not let them see what is going on around them, would be criminal.

My children actually were quite interested in ALL of the news stories and it was a great way to discuss w/them current events.
My son was up and getting ready for school (he was in 2nd grade) when my neighbor friend came over begging me to turn on the news on the morning of 9/11. What me and my children saw that morning was so disturbing, but I never in a million yrs. would have considered covering my son's eyes and rushing him out the door. In fact, we stayed and watched some coverage before leaving for school. His teacher told him and the class that it was okay to be late that morning....She told the class that something scary, historic + terrible had happened in New York, but she would be open to answering any questions the students had.

Now my children are fully grown adults and I don't see any negative effects any and all news watching has on them. If anything, my kids all have their unique opinions on world affairs and are excellent critical thinkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my children were younger, I NEVER ever shielded them from the news. My personal philosophy is that children need to learn about the world that we live in. It may not always be pretty, but to not let them see what is going on around them, would be criminal.

My children actually were quite interested in ALL of the news stories and it was a great way to discuss w/them current events.
My son was up and getting ready for school (he was in 2nd grade) when my neighbor friend came over begging me to turn on the news on the morning of 9/11. What me and my children saw that morning was so disturbing, but I never in a million yrs. would have considered covering my son's eyes and rushing him out the door. In fact, we stayed and watched some coverage before leaving for school. His teacher told him and the class that it was okay to be late that morning....She told the class that something scary, historic + terrible had happened in New York, but she would be open to answering any questions the students had.

Now my children are fully grown adults and I don't see any negative effects any and all news watching has on them. If anything, my kids all have their unique opinions on world affairs and are excellent critical thinkers.

This.

I really don't get why people try to "shield" their children from what's happening in the world.

I mean for goodness sake, children aren't fragile little creatures who need to be shielded from every and any little thing that might pose some level of discomfort or fear. It's a part of life and, like everyone else, they'll learn to deal with it.

Luckily for me, my own parents didn't have any "screen time" restrictions whatsoever. I watched/heard hours of news since I was child.... much as I disliked it back then. To be honest, I found the news boring and couldn't wait till my grandmother or mother was finished with the TV so that my siblings and I could watch hours of cartoons or play video games, lol.

At any rate, I watched the entire coverage of 9/11 as a forth grader living in NY, and really didn't think much of it. Not to mention other news regarding deadly fires, serial killers, rapes, murders, highway accidents, political scandals, and the whole plethora of what is generally covered by the news. And, years later, I'm a well adjusted young adult.

Seriously, I never plan on having any screen time restrictions or news restrictions when I have my bundle of kiddies.

I'm equally glad that my employers aren't the type to do this either. They have the TV on the news all morning, regardless of if the LO is awake or asleep.

I can also have the TV on all day with my 8 month old charge if I wanted to. Not that I do. I usually have the TV on a music channel, Pandora, or we watch Bubble Guppies, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, or some other kiddy show while I feed her lunch. Win-win.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who doesn't "get" it: My parents didn't have any restrictions on the news when I was young. Then I developed an enormous, irrational fear of house fires and they realized how much it was affecting me... nightmares every night, loss of appetite, just an all-the-time terror. Sooooo, I think parents of sensitive children are right to manage scary information in age-appropriate ways. If you don't feel you need to, that is also perfectly fine, but be aware your kids may react to it with varying degrees of trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP who doesn't "get" it: My parents didn't have any restrictions on the news when I was young. Then I developed an enormous, irrational fear of house fires and they realized how much it was affecting me... nightmares every night, loss of appetite, just an all-the-time terror. Sooooo, I think parents of sensitive children are right to manage scary information in age-appropriate ways. If you don't feel you need to, that is also perfectly fine, but be aware your kids may react to it with varying degrees of trouble.

As the PP, than I can agree with you on this. But I believe that children shouldn't be denied this information outright. If they do indeed become sensitive and truly affected by certain information, than it of course can, and should, be minimized/removed at the discretion of the parents.

[Anonymous]

News is what is happening right now.

Everyone should have the right, not privilege to know what is currently going on in the world.

To deny anyone this right is just shameful.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to everyone who weighed in...except the troll of 05:16. I'll respond once and say this: It is not shameful to prevent a 3-year-old from hearing about the rape and murder of her 5-year-old neighbor. It is not shameful to limit the details of a school shooting when discussing it with your 10-year-old. It is not shameful to ensure that children feel safe in the world around them - that is actually an important element to aid healthy development. Some kids can watch the news, take it in, and move on. Others will be troubled by the things they've seen. A parent's responsibility is to ensure that their kids' world doesn't get too big and too frightening too soon in their lives.

[Anonymous]

I listen to the news (radio) when something important is happening while I am at work.

With a charge nearing 5, I'd be selective about what information he's exposed to. He listens carefully and processes what he hears. Any questions about big tragedies are better left to the parents, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my children were younger, I NEVER ever shielded them from the news. My personal philosophy is that children need to learn about the world that we live in. It may not always be pretty, but to not let them see what is going on around them, would be criminal.

My children actually were quite interested in ALL of the news stories and it was a great way to discuss w/them current events.
My son was up and getting ready for school (he was in 2nd grade) when my neighbor friend came over begging me to turn on the news on the morning of 9/11. What me and my children saw that morning was so disturbing, but I never in a million yrs. would have considered covering my son's eyes and rushing him out the door. In fact, we stayed and watched some coverage before leaving for school. His teacher told him and the class that it was okay to be late that morning....She told the class that something scary, historic + terrible had happened in New York, but she would be open to answering any questions the students had.

Now my children are fully grown adults and I don't see any negative effects any and all news watching has on them. If anything, my kids all have their unique opinions on world affairs and are excellent critical thinkers.

Same here. I watch/listen to the news with my children ages 8+4. They ask questions about the stories and I answer them, I don't want to shield my sons from the world they live in, someday they will be out there on their own. It makes more sense to me to educate and prepare them for it.