Should kids have TV rationed?

675 published comments with 45 censored.

The amount of time children spend watching television should be rationed to prevent health and learning problems, an expert is to tell MPs.

Professor Aric Sigman wants to ban 3 year olds from watching any television. He says that up to 7-years-old, children should only be allowed half an hour of TV and even by the time they are teenagers, the maximum they should watch is 2 hours a day.

He wants the government to give these recommended daily TV guidelines to parents. But broadcasters say television is an easy scapegoat for society's problems.

Are you a parent with young children? How much television do your children watch? Do you agree with Dr Sigman? Should the government tell parents how much TV their children should watch?

Link to the BBC website for this thread

The following comments were censored from this thread on the BBC's 'Have Your Say' section of their news website.

Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by bob bobwell, dubai on Mon Apr 23 11:46:51 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"My son would sit in front of *Ballamory* and that new Teletubby spin-off all day if I let him. This is particularly worrying because he is 33 years old and deputy head of languages at a north London comprehensive"

Ted Tedford, London


He also keep hassling me for sex (GAY sex, I think I had better add). I'm sure as a direct result of watching TV. It's *so* bad for you.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by LeftLiberal AndProud on Mon Apr 23 11:43:42 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

And pull your hoodie down, you're white and middleclass, not a bro' from the hood. Idiot.

Andrew Carter, London, United Kingdom

Have you been happy-slapped by hoodies? Is a neighbour bothering you with loud hip-hop? You have a chip on your shoulder the size of a boulder!
Kids want to listen to other kids. Why not let them express their opinions, many of them are more articulate than their grunting reactionary elders.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Ruddigore Topsider, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk on Mon Apr 23 11:43:24 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Why not have a newsreader on the 6 o'clock news achieving orgasm *as a result of* watching a hanging.

Come on BBC: challenge the *real* taboos.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Steve Godrich on Mon Apr 23 11:42:40 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"imagine an orgasm on the Six O'Clock News! - Maxxxie mila, London, United Kingdom"

There would have to be some great news for that to happen!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Jabba DeHutt on Mon Apr 23 11:41:42 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

LiberalLeft AndProud, United Kingdom "
I agree! It's the 'Nukes not Nudes' attitude. Millions thought it OK to watch a hanging, but imagine an orgasm on the Six O'Clock News!

Maxxxie mila, London, United Kingdom

I watched Naked News on the Sumo channel last night, fantastic...why cant ITV and BBC do something like this. Far better than watching some guy getting shot or hanged on the mainstream news....

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [G0recki], Oxford, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 12:24:02 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Perhaps it's a licence to breed that's required, rather than a licence to own a TV? That would solve most of our problems...
Topsy Turvy, England, United Kingdom

But aren't we then entering the slippery slope of Eugenics?"
[fancyapint]

I think there is a lot to be said for shoving a cork up all new born male's penises, which can be removed, no questions asked, whenever they are ready to have children. It would stop an awful lot of unwanted babies.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [widuran] on Mon Apr 23 14:08:47 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

At least the Asian Character Dev shags all the ladies. Just like real life Asians hehe

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by atomjohn lee, derby, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 13:59:41 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

<<"There's a thought = a National Negativity Day.
it could be combined with National Apathy Day,
if anyone can be bothered to arrange it.

atomjohn lee, derby, United Kingdom"

They would account for 365 days of the year - what about leap years?
Britain's Ruined, Reading>>
Icouldn't be bothered to think of leap years

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by leftwing lefty, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:20:27 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

RIP Borris Y.

You were a great President! Vodka all the way!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by LiberalLeft AndProud, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:38:22 UTC 2007. 1 recommendations.

They can watch as much TV as they like so long as its censored by Labour and is full of their ideals....

A bit like the BBC & HYS then!

[1984ReturnsforReal], ENGLAND, United Kingdom

The group sponsoring this report is rightwing religious and has tories on its board. THIS IS NOTHING TO DO WITH LABOUR

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Jabba DeHutt on Mon Apr 23 13:18:50 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Although who mentioned White or English? Perhaps you are lettting your prejudices show? I am white and 1/2 English.

LiberalLeft AndProud, United Kingdom

I had better change my tins of white paint made in the UK in case you guys call me racist, or bigoted if i cover the black paint with white paint. Prejudices, what the hell do you know about prejudices? One day common sense may prevail or will i now be accused of being far right...i suppose i'd better go stand against a wall now..

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Lauren Hudson, Romford, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:10:57 UTC 2007. 1 recommendations.

Soap operas reflect modern day society. If the soaps are so bad then we should stop watching them and behave better.

leftwing lefty, United Kingdom

Yep. in soapland, noone has washing machines, noone ever has breakfast at home, they never have any money yet they are always in the pub, and there's no point getting a partner as they are bound to end up sleeping with your mother/brother/father/children, and you could always be shot by a mass-murdering gangster who lives next door. Ha ha.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [Martin1983], London, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:07:30 UTC 2007. 4 recommendations.

"Look at Coronation Street - one Asian character and he runs a corner shop!! Don't get me started on their gay character, how stereotypical is that ??? Corrie is a fictional 50s street - and has been since it started! It does not reflect real life." - M Morgan, Merseyside

The actor who plays the gay character Sean is himself gay, and the Asian character Dev is played by an Asian man (obviously). If they thought their characters were a problem, I'm sure they would be the first to speak out.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Graham Bishop, Warwickshire on Mon Apr 23 14:35:35 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

What does nanny do while the children are watching all this TV?
Emperor Mongo

Drinking Gin, and surfing the net.
[fancyapint], United Kingdom

Organising the next round of kiddy fights!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by CivilWar I'mWithBorisJohnson on Mon Apr 23 14:35:32 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Personally, I'm more concerned at the lack of porn broadcast after the watershed. I pay my license fee like everyone else. Come on BBC - Free your minds!!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:35:07 UTC 2007. 5 recommendations.

"The actor who plays the gay character Sean is himself gay, and the Asian character Dev is played by an Asian man (obviously). If they thought their characters were a problem, I'm sure they would be the first to speak out.

[Martin1983],"

Martin old man, whilst I love Corrie dearly, I'm not sure artistic integrity is the first consideration of its cast. More likey its contractual longevity.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Peter Byrd, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:33:48 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

What does nanny do while the children are watching all this TV?

Emperor Mongo

You mean New Labour?

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [1984ReturnsforReal], ENGLAND, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:32:57 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

They can watch as much TV as they like so long as its censored by Labour and is full of their ideals....

A bit like the BBC & HYS then!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Laird Kyle of Minogue, Minogue, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:55:34 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Added: Monday, 23 April, 2007, 14:31 GMT 15:31 UK

What does nanny do while the children are watching all this TV?

Emperor Mongo "

She will be walking mummy to school!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by CivilWar I'mWithBorisJohnson on Mon Apr 23 13:12:51 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"I always preferred Oscar the grouch ;o) "
Stephen J Brown, Surrey, United Kingdom

Agreed... The homeless just haven't had quite the same level of exposure on TV since the demise of Sesame Street ;-)

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Jabba DeHutt on Mon Apr 23 13:51:12 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I have noticed something about Eastenders and Coronation Street that is quite disturbing, forget the stereotypes and Asian corner shops, where the hell is the token Hamster?

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by CK Plein, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 13:47:50 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Look at Coronation Street - one Asian character and he runs a corner shop!! Don't get me started on their gay character, how stereotypical is that ???

Corrie is a fictional 50s street - and has been since it started! It does not reflect real life.

M Morgan, Merseyside

Okay so get over it. Nobody forces you to watch it.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 13:45:53 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Soap operas reflect real life ?

Look at Coronation Street - one Asian character and he runs a corner shop!! Don't get me started on their gay character, how stereotypical is that ?

Corrie is a fictional 50s street... It does not reflect real life.

M Morgan,"

A valid point old son, but at least Coronation Street (which is essentially a collection of comedy duos) is often mildy amusing. Unlike the painfully angst ridden and curiously white East End of Eastenders.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [examino] on Mon Apr 23 13:41:13 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Why do we have to be told what to do I wonder?
Surely it is at the parents disgression what their children do.
Perhaps these "do gooders" should focus instead how much tele the adults watch?????

catherine beak, sittingbourne, United Kingdom"


Your spelling is exactly the reason some of us need to be advised in certain areas. You clearly watched too much TV in lieu of your English grammar homework. Point made nicely thanks!!!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by william fletcher on Mon Apr 23 13:56:54 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I'm waiting for kiddies TV to be turned into a brainwashing tool for New Labour Old Lies - a big picture of Brown/B'liar or whatever piece of scum runs the party - with an voice over - Love the Dear Leader - he is God, Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God,Love the Dear Leader - he is God..........

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [1984ReturnsforReal], ENGLAND, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 13:54:45 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I have noticed something about Eastenders and Coronation Street that is quite disturbing, forget the stereotypes and Asian corner shops, where the hell is the token Hamster?
Jabba DeHutt

The cat on the wall ate it!

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by [Harry-Flashman] on Mon Apr 23 15:17:14 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Yep. in soapland, noone has washing machines, noone ever has breakfast at home, they never have any money yet they are always in the pub, and there's no point getting a partner as they are bound to end up sleeping with your mother/brother/father/children, and you could always be shot by a mass-murdering gangster who lives next door. Ha ha.
Lauren Hudson,

No-one moves round the corner, only to the antipodes.
No-one follows football.
Everyone leaves in a taxi (or under one.)

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by LeftLiberal AndProud on Mon Apr 23 15:29:35 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

No-one moves round the corner, only to the antipodes.
No-one follows football.
Everyone leaves in a taxi (or under one.)

[Harry-Flashman]

Well, they do on Eastenders, plenty of mentions of West Ham ,people do move round the corner and they use the tube. On another point.I did not say you were lying. I said "Many of the stories are made up/exaggerated" And if you read the BBC stories, most of them were about existing safety laws, and most of them were allowed to keep the flags in the end

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 15:23:34 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"No-one moves round the corner, only to the antipodes.
No-one follows football.
Everyone leaves in a taxi (or under one.)

[Harry-Flashman]"

Ladies and Gentlemen, Im afraid you've all missed the most glaring omission from soaps.
No-one, but no-one, ever talks about what they saw on television last night or refers to it in any way. It's just not natural - maybe professor whats-is-name on the other HYS should be told.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by atomjohn lee, derby, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 15:22:05 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Has anyone blamed immigrants, the Labour Party or David Cameron yet?

If not - I hereby find them all guilty.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by LeftLiberal AndProud on Mon Apr 23 15:35:43 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

Robert Sharr - "My dear chap" ... a patronising start.

In bygone days errant kids were just branded and off to "institutes", unlike you medicine has moved on.
[ngrayson]

Gadzooks, Sirrah, art thou not aware that Wilhelm Billybob Shears Sharr 23rd doth think his archaic verbiage is a sign of intellectual superiority? Verily, he hath the sound and fury of an ancient varlet, signifying nothing.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by CivilWar I'mWithBorisJohnson on Mon Apr 23 15:31:08 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"No-one follows football.
Everyone leaves in a taxi (or under one.)"
[Harry-Flashman]

"No-one, but no-one, ever talks about what they saw on television last night or refers to it in any way."
Robert Sharr, London, United Kingdom

Have you noticed too, that people move into the area and, after having known somebody for all but 2 months, ask them to be best man at their forthcoming wedding? Never a childhood friend, or relative who might not live on the same street?

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Peter Byrd on Mon Apr 23 15:52:19 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

If kids were not exposed to so much tv they are still exposed to this sickening society 24/7. A society of twisted morals that give rights to perversive lifestyles where kids are adopted and raised to guardians of unnatural relationships.

Peter Heath, Worcestershire, United Kingdom

At least he said it what most people think. He can't say exactly what it is but in this day of political correct madness you are not allowed to point out directly what is so messed up with this society.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Peter Heath, Worcestershire, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 15:02:36 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

If kids were not exposed to so much tv they are still exposed to this sickening society 24/7. A society of twisted morals that give rights to perversive lifestyles where kids are adopted and raised to guardians of unnatural relationships.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Charles Blanchard, Cheltenham, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 15:54:05 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

If kids were not exposed to so much tv they are still exposed to this sickening society 24/7. A society of twisted morals that give rights to perversive lifestyles where kids are adopted and raised to guardians of unnatural relationships.

Peter Heath, Worcestershire, United Kingdom

True words

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by A PRETTY NURSE, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 16:16:32 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"Is it "I hate gays, because I am very unsure of my own sexuality?"
LiberalLeft AndProud,

I reckon you hit the nail right on the head, just because he's ashamed of himself doesn't mean he has the right to spread the hate!

Liam Fearnley

What a poisonous pair of fools. If he should be ashamed of anything it's not have the courage to speak plainly. Whether you precious pair like it or not homosexual adoption is a moral issue for some people and they are entitled to expresstheir views.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Peter Byrd on Mon Apr 23 16:10:18 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

"I wonder if any of the boys and girls can guess what Peter's hinting at but can't quite bring himself to say ? Answers on a postcard to "if only you were all more like me.."


"Is it "I hate gays, because I am very unsure of my own sexuality?" Do I get a prize?"


"I reckon you hit the nail right on the head, just because he's ashamed of himself doesn't mean he has the right to spread the hate!"


Guys, maybe your political correct nanny state drivel is the only hate being spread.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by LeftLiberal AndProud on Mon Apr 23 16:40:55 UTC 2007. 2 recommendations.

What a poisonous pair of fools. If he should be ashamed of anything it's not have the courage to speak plainly. Whether you precious pair like it or not homosexual adoption is a moral issue for some people and they are entitled to expresstheir views.

A PRETTY NURSE, United Kingdom

Yeah, because calling gays "unnatural" is such a moral stand to take. But then religion excuses everything, doesnt it?

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by LeftLiberal AndProud on Mon Apr 23 16:42:40 UTC 2007. 3 recommendations.

Guys, maybe your political correct nanny state drivel is the only hate being spread.

Peter Byrd

I think you'll find the concensus view today is no-one gives a damn if you are gay or not, unless they have a religious axe to grind, or are unable to come to terms with their own sexuality

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Peter Heath, Worcestershire, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 16:51:01 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Not agreeing with homosexual views doesn't make the person homophobic or any other kind of 'ic or 'ist. They just don't agree with the homosexual viewpoint and rightly they can do.
Homosexual supporters who scream labels at people who dare think different are the ones who are full of fear and bigotry.
Childrens programmes are frequently littered with promiscuous sex, flirting, violence, dysfunctional children, dysfunctional parents that it is no wonder children in society are so broken.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Max Headroom, East Midlands, United Kingdom on Mon Apr 23 14:56:27 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I just don't get it, am I getting old or something? I can't sit down for more than an hour a day to watch TV these days - it just sends me to sleep. The last movie I pirated (300 - Spartans) did have me on the edge of my seat for a couple of hours only because it was both entertaining and historical (but not acurate). Kids and parents must be braindead if they can be entertained bu the total RUBBISH that THEY - 'Big Brother' (the big eye) wants to brainwash you all with.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Jabba DeHutt on Mon Apr 23 10:04:43 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Banning seems normal in this so called "left wing" Labour Party. With bans already in place for other things and the possiblity of future bans it wouldn't suprise me if Labour use this as new ban and heavy fines are the result. Typical Right Wing Labour Party.

leftwing lefty, United Kingdom

How typical of a lefty to come up with this comment, its a no brainer and bears no resemblance to the debate in motion. How about a seperate area for the left and right wing extremists to play?

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by news_meister, Staffs on Mon Apr 23 10:15:53 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

Would you really expect to see homosexual sex on TV at 4:30pm???

Leonard Day

Uh, yes on the porn channels. They are made for grown ups, and grown ups can watch porn any time they want.
Ignorant, eh?
Sounds to me like you're the ignorant one for expecting what is well known to be a cynical money making machine to be 'nice'.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by Matt M, Manchester on Mon Apr 23 10:35:47 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

well if u actually let them hav there freedom from an early age then maybe the kids of the future will learn early tht if they behave badly thery will experience it young and this will put people of the idea of binge drinking althought i am a binge drinker and started to late in my opinion.

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Should kids have TV rationed?

Written by HG, London, UK on Mon Apr 23 11:19:02 UTC 2007. 0 recommendations.

I don't know why I bother taking part in these reactively moderated forums. Nobody who isn't a registered user gets a look in.

Why do you always bias these forums to registered users, BBC? Why the discrimination?

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