TIVO & KIDS

Chuck Colson in his Breakpoint commentary today argues that TiVo and their new KidZone feature is a good thing for parents. Here's part of his argument.

The way KidZone works is simple, which I think makes it especially appealing to busy parents who, if you are like me, don't have time to decipher pages of instructions. What you do is pre-approve the shows you want your kids to watch. The TiVo itself gives recommendations for family-friendly shows. Also, three other respected organizations with which TiVo has partnered - the Parents Choice Foundation, Common Sense Media, and the Parents Television Council provide their own lists of recommendations.

I have to admit I disagree with him on this. As a parent, I have fallen into the temptation to turn the TV into a free babysitter. When I am tired or feeling lazy, it's easy to plop Brayden in front of the TV for a little time to myself. The last thing I need is a device which allows me to store up hours and hours of shows that I can always go to in order to bail me out. As a parent, my aim is to have our family watch as little TV as possible. TiVo would be un unnecessary crutch.

I understand that if your kids are going to watch TV, you want it to be the right things. I just don't think you need TiVo to ensure that.

One of my mentors told me that him and his wife made a decision when they had kids that the TV would not be on at all Monday through Thursday. The kids were given a little TV time Friday night and Saturday. The TV was allowed Sunday's but only if they watched as a family. He told me that it was one of the best parenting decisions they ever made.

What do you think, am I crazy on this?