Remotely Controlled: How Television is Damaging Our Lives: How Television Is Damaging Our Lives

This book was a real eye opener on how much damage television can do to us especially our children.
Dr. Sigman systematically goes through the various ways in which television can harm us and what we can do about it. I have dramatically reduced my watching time and my children's. Even my husband has cut down!

I had already noticed behavioral changes in my children while watching and after watching television. This book has reinforced for me that television is not good for anyone especially children.

This book is a must for anyone who has children.

Don't bother with this book. The author mainly gives his own rambling reasons for getting rid of the TV. Some of it is mildly interesting. Most of it is just opinionated waffle. For example, he spends a lot of time trying to make a case for violence on TV making children violent. This has never been proven and to try and argue it without scientific backing weakens his argument. And as for why he thinks it relevant to talk about the best sexual position for concieving a child is anyone's guess....
It may be interesting if you have never seriously considered getting rid of the TV before, but for a reasoned and scientific analysis of the (very) harmful effects of the medium then buy and read 'The Plug-in Drug' by Marie Winn.

This is an excellent book. The TV is damaging people and society in general. Children are especially at risk for it stunts their brain's development. BBC on-line dismisses the results of modern medical research regarding the harmful effect of the TV. However who would you rather believe the TV companies or scientific research? Dr Sigman writes clearly and well in this life changing book. Everyone should read this book. All I can say is give up the TV and Get a life.

I have a seven month old son, and have not allowed him to be in the room when the television is turned on. At a few weeks old in particular I noticed how when the television was turned on, he would becomed mesmerised and begin ignoring everything else. But I would try to snatch opportunities to view whilst he was asleep. Since I started reading this book, my television viewing has been slashed, and now on completion, I have become more aware of the effects TV is having whilst watching - physiological as well as psychological. For example, in a drama I was watching yesterday, a person was standing at a cliff edge about to jump off and I noticed my own palms becoming sweaty.

This book systematically goes through the evidence and Sigman draws clear conclusions. The tone is balanced and therefore avoids sounding patronising. And its also very easy reading.

This book really is life-changing. As a reviewer below suggested, 'turn off the TV and read this book. Then tell anyone you care about to read it, especially if they have children'!

I have a two and half year old Son and was drawn to read this book, as I have also two other children twenty years older who were raised when childrens' t.v. did not really exist.
Everyone, should read this book, it is both fascinating and compelling and I challenge anyone who reads it not to find it changes how they see that box that sits in the corner of all our sitting rooms, (and more to the point in our bedrooms and our childrens bedrooms!).The book is extremely easy to read and the facts and research referred to give information that is simply 'jaw-dropping'.
When I finished this book I stopped my son viewing any t.v. at all. He was two and a quarter and not speaking at all, for which we were concerned. Within two weeks he suddenly started talking. You might say this was a happy coincidence, but I urge you to read this book and judge for yourself. Incidentally I lent this book to my 25 year old daughter who has two sons. She rang me having finished it and said 'Mum I wish I had a £1000 to spare, I would buy as many copies of this book as I can and leave it everywhere for people to read'.