It's possible you're compensating for being denied the enjoyment of highly entertaining 80s and 90s TV. You missed out. Your friends probably talked about things they watched, and you couldn't join in.

Decades later, you sound jaded and bitterly overconfident in the idea that television sucks the life out of people and renders them simple minded lesser humans.

> "Because they gave me an appreciation that life is to be lived"

Denying a kid television doesn't automatically fill the void with quality life experiences. Kids will get bored, and throw a ball against a wall for hours. Nothing was learnt that day. The brain did some low-level hand-eye coordination, that's it.

There's rubbish on TV but also quality shows, including educational shows. Even when confined to entertainment, it's enriching for children to see actors, characters and stories that communicate ideas.