19 November 2008
Digital TV can have a positive influence on childhood development, according to a report by expert psychologist Dr Tanya Byron.
The parenting guru said that provided television viewing is monitored and managed responsibly, it can play an important role in growing up, Brand Republic reports.
Commissioned by Freeview, the report contains the responses of parents questioned about their children's viewing habits and their own attitudes towards digital TV.
Eight out of ten parents questioned said they thought television had aided their children's development, while six in ten said it helped their kids to expand their vocabulary.
Furthermore, half of those questioned said that having a digital TV recorder has had a positive impact on the way their children watch television, because being able to record programmes makes it easier for parents to control what their children watch and when they watch it, as well as helping TV fit into family routines.
A survey carried out by digital pay-TV solutions provider NDS in September revealed that 70% of British consumers believe their digital video recorder is an essential item in their home.