It really depends on the child with television viewing. My son was never interested and does not own a TV now. He will watch films on his iPad and listens to radio, but my daughter did enjoy watching TV, usually selectively though she did watch some rubbish. She found learning to read very difficult and in hindsight, had aspects of dyslexia, but as one teacher commented, it was a shock to hear her read, as her knowledge of the world was extensive, thanks to TV. My sister restricted any TV viewing for her children, but it was my mum who commented that maybe watching TV was not the great evil it was felt to be. It is more what is watched, how much and whether they can play imaginatively on their own, without needing to be passively simulated.
I have observed my little grandson. The TV is put on if my daughter is busy. She puts on cbeebies, which is pretty safe. He watches some programmes avidly and has obviously learnt a lot, but will go off and play when other programmes come on. Mind you, he would sit for hours watching utube videos on tractors for hours if allowed. At 21/2 he doesn't realise that mum could assess tractor videos on her iPad, only his grandparents!
I suspect the issues will be more difficult when he is older, but then again he is outside as much as possible. That love of the outside world is shared by his parents. He is a very fortunate little boy.
