According to a nationwide survey[1], watching TV is still the most popular leisure activity among Hungarians – people in almost every household in Hungary watch TV. So, it’s no wonder that children are also likely to spend more time in front of the screen during the summer holidays. Similarly to online content consumption, parents should also control their children’s TV watching habits, supervise it and discuss it with them depending on their age.
The shift in traditional TV viewing habits also means that young people are no longer necessarily watching linear TV at home in front of the TV set. According to a survey by BellResearch[2], young people under 19 are the most likely to watch live or recorded TV programs on the internet. This also means that parents have less insight into how much time their children spend watching TV, which is why it’s worth keeping an eye on how much content they are consuming.
How much is the ideal screen time?
The eternal question is how much TV is ideal for children. Summer is also about relaxation, and watching TV is a way to unwind and recharge, but at the same time, it’s crucial for children to spend time in diverse and active ways, getting outdoors when they can, playing sports and games.
According to Balázs Koren, following a rule of thumb makes sense here, too: for every hour spent in front of a screen, at least the same amount of time, or ideally twice as much, should be spent with other activities, such as reading, playing board games or doing outdoor activities. This is not only good for children’s physical well-being, but it also helps them set limits for the use of digital devices.
You determine
You should discuss with your children not only the amount of time they can spend watching TV, but also its timing. The fact that you don’t necessarily have to adapt to live TV is a big advantage. On Yettel TV, for example, you can catch up on programs for 7 days and record programs on a number of channels for 30 days, so if, for example, your children’s favourite story is on in the afternoon, they can watch it later without interrupting their football or games.
Responsibility instead of just scrolling
What used to be switching between linear channels is now scrolling across digital platforms – it’s easy to spend a lot of time browsing through a vast array of content. For children, this is even more important to avoid, as they are constantly looking at the screen without following any real content during this time. It can help if you plan in advance what to watch on TV and save the films and series you want to watch. Yettel TV also has a special children’s menu, which brings together content specifically for young users.
One screen at a time
It’s also worth paying attention to multiscreen use. As adults, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using your mobile phone while watching TV. But this doesn’t allow you to concentrate on any one activity. If you’re going to watch TV, give it your full attention, and don’t try to find something else to do. You can set an example for your children and they will be more likely to accept it if you make it a rule that they can only use one device at a time. Not to mention that you will be better able to listen to their reactions and questions while watching TV.
Child lock
Even with the greatest care, children may be exposed to television content that is inappropriate for their age group. If this happens, the first thing to do is to talk to them about what they saw, how it affected them and why you think the program is not for them. In the case of Yettel TV, the parental lock function allows you to restrict access to programs with different age ratings (6, 12, 16, 18 and over) by entering a PIN code.
More information on Yettel TV: https://www.yettel.hu/tv
[1] Infocommunications at the level of households, Hungarian Infocommunications Report, BellResearch, 2022
[2] Infocommunications at the level of individuals, Hungarian Infocommunications Report, BellResearch, 2022