Not owning a TV is so liberating

WELSH singer and BBC broadcaster Cerys, 47, appeared on reality show I’m A Celebrity . . .Get Me Out Of Here! in 2007. She lives in London with her second husband Steve and her three children — Glenys, 13, Johnny, 11, and Red, seven. WE DON’T have a TV in our house. Because my children haven’t grown up with it, they don’t know any different and don’t really miss it.

If they watch it at a friend’s house, they see it as a treat. It also means we have more quality time together as a family.

With no telly, the children are less likely to be lured in by snazzy adverts for toys or sugar-laden food — now what parent wouldn’t want a bit less of that? I’d like them to make better decisions without being unduly influenced by advertising.

I realise living in a telly-free house might be too extreme for many families, but I really would recommend trying a gradual reduction and replacing TV with group activities, such as board games.

I also limit my children’s access to the internet and consoles because, when they use the internet at home, it makes me feel they’re roaming the virtual Wild West. As a parent, I’m very concerned about the dangers of social media.

It’s a struggle every family faces today and I want to teach my children there are pleasures in life beyond staring at a screen.

We all need to slow down and reduce our reliance on technology. On the face of it, it’s there to make our lives easier, but when you rely on technology too much, it becomes a crutch.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that reducing screen time and getting back to basics helps us to tune in to our genuine needs and instincts.

I believe we all need to get out more and do simple things such as going for long walks in the countryside, camping and anything that gets your hands dirty.

If we did that, we’d be more in touch with nature and have a connection with food — rather than just expecting to get whatever we need whenever we want.

Instant gratification and blind consumerism are a modern curse. That’s why I started the Good Life festival in 2014 — I wanted to encourage people to have fun while learning basic skills such as foraging, preserving and survival skills, as well as enjoying great food and music.

CERYS MATTHEWS is supporting electric car campaign Go Ultra Low (goultralow.com)