Why do Waldorf Schools discourage watching TV?

The reasons for this have as much to do with the physical effects of the medium on the developing child (ie. how it can effect a child's eyes and tracking for things such as reading) as with the questionable content of much of the programming. Electronic media are believed by Waldorf teachers to seriously hamper the development of the child’s imagination – a faculty which is believed to be central to the healthy development of the individual. Computer use by young children is also discouraged.

Waldorf teachers are not alone in this belief. Several books and research articles have been written in recent years expressing concern with the effect of screens on young children. See, for instance, Endangered Minds by Jane Healy, Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander, or The Plug-In Drug by Marie Winn.