Do you remember the time when TV rules were the law of the land? Parents used to have pretty tough rules about what you could and couldn’t see on TV. Back then, they felt perfectly sensible (and super annoying) – but now a lot of those rules are entirely outrageous. Let’s travel back in time and laugh at some of the strictest—and silliest—TV rules parents used to enforce.
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You Had to Watch TV Standing Up
Some parents were sure you’d get lazy or sick from sitting too long. So they got you to stand up when you watched TV, especially if you’d been sitting too long. If you wanted to watch your favorite show, you had to endure it on your feet. Imagine trying to go through a long film or back-to-back episodes of a cartoon like Inspector Gadget without a break.
No Watching TV When It’s Sunny Outside
“If the sun’s out, the TV stays off!” This rule was to get children to go outside to get some fresh air. TV time, parents thought, was for rainy days, cold weather or nights. It didn’t matter if your favorite show was on in the afternoon – if it was a nice day, you were out riding your bike or playing catch.
Cartoons Only on Low Volume
Parents had this thing about cartoons being “too loud,” even if they weren’t. You’d be watching Looney Tunes or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and they’d yell from the kitchen, “Turn that racket down!” The irony? When the news or a sports match was on, the TV could shake the house and no one said a word.
No Watching TV While Wearing Pajamas
Watching TV in pajamas was apparently pure laziness. If you were going to sit down and watch your favorite show, you had to get dressed up. Even on a Saturday morning when you were half-awake, this rule was unbending. It didn’t matter if nobody was visiting or it was a day at home — you needed to be “presentable” to sit down to watch television.
No Laughing Too Loud During Comedies
Parents didn’t mind you watching funny shows, but heaven forbid you laugh too loudly. Laughing at The Three Stooges or America’s Funniest Home Videos got a sharp “Keep it down!” Seems like too much laughter made them upset even in the middle of the day. You didn’t have much chance of enjoying a comedy if you had to stifle your laughter like in a library.
The Remote Had to Stay in a Specific Spot
The remote wasn’t just a tool – it was a sacred object. Parents often had a designated “spot” for it, like the arm of the couch or a specific table. If you moved it—whether by accident or because you were actually using it—you’d get an earful. Losing the remote was practically a federal offense & you’d spend the next hour tearing apart the living room while your parents lectured you about responsibility.
No Watching TV If Someone Else Was on the Phone
Parents believed that having the TV on while someone was on the phone would somehow “interfere.” It didn’t matter if the person on the call was in another room or if the TV was barely audible—it had to be turned off or muted until the conversation was over. Looking back, it’s wild, especially now when everyone’s on their phones while the TV blares in the background.
No TV When Company Was Over
Every time visitors came to visit, the TV got switched off right away. Parents thought it as rude to have the TV on when you were entertaining people. Even if you were in the middle of a program, they told you to “be sociable.” Nowadays, having a game or show running behind you while you’re having fun is completely acceptable and no one has any qualms about it.
No TV on School Nights
Some parents even banned watching TV during the week. The idea was that school nights were for homework, reading and bedtime – not TV. It didn’t matter how much you pleaded. TV was only for the weekend. We now live in a world where kids are staring at screens 24/7 – on TV, on YouTube, on video games.
No Changing the Channel Without Permission
If your parents were watching something, you didn’t touch the remote. Period. Even if it was the tamest news show in the history of the world, you watched it or walked out the door. Today, with multiple devices and streaming platforms, kids don’t even need to argue over what to watch – they’re swarming with options.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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