Car Parts Faqs

Are car DVD players good or bad for kids?

I have 2 kids of 4 and 1 years old. I'm considering getting them a DVD player for the car to keep them entertained during long journeys. I'm a bit worried that it could make them want the TV all of the time and the repurcussions if the DVD player is not there or we turn it off. What do you think? Do you have good or bad experiences with this subject?

Public Comments

1. Well i am also torn with this question but I let my little girl (4) have it only if we are going to be in the car for an hour or more. At first when we got it she wanted it all the time but she had to figure out that only when we go far does she get it...It might be a fight for a few times but after they will understand its not a neccesity...
2. I do not think that car DVD's are good. I think that they are another materialistic item that parents provide their children. Kids need to learn patience and self entertainment during long car rides - they don't need constant entertainment from a TV, video game, or music player. Sure, these items help take the pressure off during a long trip, but really they are just babysitters so the parents don't have to deal with the kids... and soon enough, that DVD player will be turned on for the 30 minute trip, and then the 15 minute trip... Kids need to learn all sorts of life lessons and how to deal with good and bad situations in life... rather than the parents always finding a solution to make them happy... thats not how the real world works.
3. are we there yet? are we there yet? are we there yet? are we there yet? Yes they're a good choice
4. I wouldnt get one personally. Part of growing up on long journeys is dealing with them. Look out the window!!! I understand why you would consider getting one but overall I think its just not a good idea.
5. i also have 2 kids and i have a dvd player in the car. we sometime have 2 take long trips. its usually just me and my kids and the dvd player makes it easier for me 2 drive them for long periods of time. but when were not in the car i let go outside and play so they never get 2 really watch tv.
6. First off, you know your child, what is good for one child may not be a good choice for another. I have one, but it is not a permanent fixture in my car. I like to talk with my daughter & she learns a lot pointing out things we see out on our drive. Now with that said, I live in one city & my family lives 4 hours away in another city. Four hours can be torture for my child & for me, so we take out the DVD player & boom she can handle a couple of hours without too much of a hassle. You judge how much & when.
7. I think they're good when used in moderation. We have a built in DVD player in our vehicle and the only time the boys watch it is when we're taking longer trips. They get to watch one DVD then have to find something else to do for awhile. We also bring along playing cards, activity books, video games, and my oldest has an Mp3 player. They don't do any of the activities for the whole trip and we don't ignore them either. We make conversation about life in general, the sights, and what we'll be doing once we get to our destination. You'd probably be surprised how much time my 6-year-old actually spends just staring out the window checking things out.
8. What do you consider a long journey? 20 min? 2 hours? I think it's fine if you are on a trip longer than 2 hours. Having been on many cross-country trips as a child, the Interstate becomes pretty boring. At the same time, I agree with other experts that children need to learn to entertain themselves without the reliance on electronics to do it for them. My real concern though is the damage TV does to children's eyes. I have no doubt that TV screens are responsible for so many kids needing glasses in elementary school.
9. We purchased one of these for our 2 1/2 year old son just after Christmas. We live a 2 hour drive from each set of grandparents and the journeys to visit had become a nightmare. He either worked himself up so much he was sick out of frustration and boredom, or he fell asleep and his (very delicate) routine was thrown out completely. The DVD player has been a godsend. As he doesn't watch TV at home and doesn't understand the principle of putting the DVD in it means he doesn't ask for it at all while we are at home, as far as he's concerned it's only in the car!
10. Who Cares if it's good or bad? It is the best Mama gift of all time: manna of the gods to those of us lucky enough to have one --especially me, because we have a home business and I do most of our errands, material pick-ups, and client meetings---with my 2-year old regularly in tow. We also travel a lot and for long distances. I could not imagine the hell moms like me had to go through before the invention of the Car DVD player. I do not, however, use it frivolously. My son watches educational videos right along with fun ones, or I do sing-a-long types and we sing together in the car (ABC's, Nursery Rhymes, etc.). I have the entire collection of Baby Einstein videos including the one for Baby sign language and we practice signing too (mine are one-handed while driving--LOL). I also do not have it going during the entire trip or even on every trip--so I do understand your concerns. He never gets movies if he pitches a fit for them--he has to ask nicely and say thanks Mommie! Manners Matter! My experiences are all good and I am profoundly grateful to my loving husband for this wonderful Mother's Day gift from last year. Mine is a ceiling installed JVC with a 12 inch screen. It's got a great picture and has ports for video games or a computer as well. It also came with wireless headphones which are just too cool. I think there are a lot of worse things to worry about in life than getting stressed out over whether our kids are being entertained in a socially acceptable way while strapped into a car seat. Really, they can only watch what YOU put in the player, so it's not like you don't have total control over what they are seeing anyway. Just make smart choices. Besides, have you been on a long trip with your toddler lately? I have--an 8 and 1/2 hour car trip. Do you want to listen to whining or do you want to listen to Mike Myers as Shrek or Owen Wilson in Cars? I know what I picked.
11. i think a dvd player can be helpfull if you are going on a very long car ride to prevent tantrums caused by boredom but just make sure they know they are only allowed one dvd per journey and when the dvd player isnt on keep them entertained by showing them the scenery (cows/sheep in feilds etc)
12. I think thatis good becacause the dont bother you and you can get to where ever your going safe
13. i have a 4 year old and a 2 year old so i totally understand what travelling is like with little ones. i was thinking about the same thing but i decided not to get 1 as they can be kept amused other ways like those magnetic pen drawing boards that they draw on and then slide the switch across the bottom and it erases it the pen is joined to it with a short rope so it cant get lost, they have 1 each and also i got them a leap pad learning book each and they make them suitable for 6months and up they are a great educational toy but its not as easy for my youngest to use but she still loves it, you can get all different books for them too like nemo and dysney cars. my four year old has earphones with hers so i can still have music on and i dont have to listen to the toy the whole time
14. We drove from Illinois to Florida once when my son was almost 2 and my daughter 5. It was fantastic. It kept them occupied during that trip and that was fine with my husband and I. Now on the other hand, the idea of always playing a dvd in the car even to go 10 minutes or so, I would say not an idea. But you are the one to control it so I would say yes, it's a good idea.
15. Yes! We only use ours for long trips in the car. My son has to go to a childrens hosptital 4 hours away at least 2 times a year. So with a 3 yr old and a 2 yr old they are a good hit for those long road trips. Just driving around town we do not use them. But I thinkits up to each family.
16. Honestly there great they are a bit fiddly to fit but once there up and running my two boys loved them.
17. we got one last year because we drive down to the south of France for our holidays. It was a godsend to be honest, I know it is the easy way out but we were on holiday and wanted a relaxing drive, which was what we got. While we were on holiday our daughter did keep asking to have it on even on short journeys, but once we got back home she never asks for it at all. I think she knows it is just for holidays and very long journeys.
18. I think a dvd in the car would be fine. It keeps them occupied and just don't let them get the tv alot when they get home. I say 2 hours of tv a day is fine for a 4 year old. But a dvd in the car shouldn't make them want the tv more. Just keep them occupied with other things. If there bored there gonna go to the tv that's normal.
19. We got one for our daughter who is nearly 3 and she enjoys watching some of her faves DVDs on it. I dont see any problem with having one in car for long journeys. If we go short journeys, we dont use it and she doesnt bother in the slightest. All in all, a good idea I think.