Parents 'rely on TV for advice'

Dr Tanya Byron presents BBC show the House of Tiny Tearaways

Parents are increasingly relying on television programmes for advice on the best way to bring up their children, new research has suggested.

Figures showed 83% of those who watched parenting programming found a technique which was helpful to them.

However, 37% are concerned that such shows sensationalise family problems, the survey found.

Researchers for The National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) poll interviewed 3,938 adults in the summer.

Researchers found that almost three-quarters (72%) of parents with children aged under 16 have watched at least one parenting programme, and 55% of all adults have watched at least one such programme.

Shows include the BBC's The House of Tiny Tearaways and Who Rules the Roost?, ITV's Driving Mum and Dad Mad and Channel 4's Supernanny.

It is vitally important that the influence that these programmes exert is a positive one and that they do not exploit those who take part Mary MacLeod, NFPI Chief Executive,

NFPI chief executive Mary MacLeod is writing to programme-makers to ask them to act responsibly and to deliver high-quality advice from skilled professionals.

She said: "This survey emphasises that television parenting programmes are offering support that parents find applicable to their own lives.

"Parents seem to be identifying techniques they can use at home and the most popular techniques are those based around rewarding and praising children, which is excellent news."

However, she warned that producers must assess "potentially detrimental effects" which may be caused by a particular family appearing on a show.

She said: "It is vitally important that the influence that these programmes exert is a positive one and that they do not exploit those who take part.

"They have a clear responsibility to ensure that they are responsible in screening families, seeking children's consent, doing follow-ups with families involved and using experts who are knowledgeable and skilled."

Meanwhile Lucy Lloyd, also from NFPI, added that parents were still getting information from websites, books and magazines.