Difference between TV in the Bedroom and No TV in the Bedroom
Many people keep a television in their bedroom and cannot imagine being without one, but there are also many who feel that television should be kept out of the bedroom. For those who are living in a small studio apartment, the decision of whether to place their TV in the bedroom has already been made for them, but those who have a choice to make may want to consider whether the convenience of having a TV in the bedroom is outweighed by the possible negative effects.
Convenience and Comfort
Many people choose to place a TV in their bedroom because they enjoy the comfort of watching their favorite films or programs from bed, or the convenience of being able to turn on the news as soon as they wake up. A bedroom television can also enable couples to curl up together in bed to watch programs together, particularly those that may not be suitable for the rest of the family. A TV in the bedroom can also provide a relaxing source of entertainment while the viewer falls asleep.
Health and Quality of Sleep
Having a television in the bedroom can be associated with health problems, insomnia and poor quality of sleep. People who have a TV in their bedroom are more likely to spend longer hours watching TV and to stay awake longer at night. People who suffer from insomnia or poor quality sleep are often encouraged to remove any distractions from their bedroom and to use the room only for sleep and other bed-related activities.
If having a television in the bedroom encourages people to watch more television, then it can enhance the negative effects that television watching can have on the eyesight and on general health, particularly by encouraging people to snack more often and to lead a less active lifestyle.
Children who have a TV in their bedroom are likely to spend more time watching television than those who share a family TV in the living room. This makes them less likely to participate in other activities and less likely to spend time exercising or playing sports.
Relationships and Quality Of Life
Watching a TV in the bedroom removes the more social aspects of watching television, which can lead to family members becoming more isolated from one another, with everyone watching their own TV in their own bedroom rather than spending time together.
Children are also more likely to do their homework in front of the TV when they have one in their bedroom. This can make it more difficult for them to achieve academic success.
Another issue with allowing children to have televisions in their bedrooms is that it makes it harder for parents to monitor what is being watched to ensure it is appropriate or to regulate the amount of time the child is spending watching TV.
Couples who have a TV in their bedroom can also experience problems since they are less likely to spend their time alone in bed together talking or enjoying other intimate activities. Relationships can begin to suffer, particularly when couples disagree over what and when to watch.
Similarities and Differences
The effects of having a television in the bedroom depend upon how and when the TV is being used, but there is scientific evidence to suggest that the pleasure of watching television from a comfortable bed may come at a high cost.
- The bedroom can be a comfortable place to watch TV.
- A TV in the bedroom can reduce the quality of sleep.
- Children who have a bedroom TV are likely to spend longer watching TV alone.
- Couples can suffer from reduced intimacy when they have a bedroom TV.
