English Composition II
Discussion Board 4
Is Television a Bad Influence on Children? The television has become such an integral part of homes in the modern world that it is hard to imagine life without television. In today’s world, it takes no effort to get a child’s attention. From food products to virtual entertainment; from toys to clothing, all ages of children are susceptible. Children love to watch TV and prefer to stay “glued” to the TV screen all day, rather than playing outside. Is it true that children consider television to be significant in their daily lives? “Television has become a "member" of almost every single family on our planet. And not just an ordinary member, but a very important one, because the time spent next to it exceeds the amount of time spent together with any other family member”. (Watterman, Alex 2010.)
Some people can argue that children should be allowed to watch a lot of television because it is educational. However, I believe television has a 50/50 effect on children. Well what do you mean? What can prove otherwise that makes you believe that chidren are effect in good and bad ways? Children learn through the action of others that they can gain what they want through being stronger and treating other people like they are inferior. Statistics have proved that the growth of time spent next to the TV-set scales up the development of aggression (Watterman, Alex. 2010.).
However, with the increased rate of working parents, most children come home from school and are left alone or with a babysitter who may not care what the children watch on TV. Unless parents supervise what their kids are watching, children may end up watching shows with violence, sex and bad language. Children that view such shows are likely to fear that the world scary or that something bad will happen to them. Furthermore, the children will start to show aggressive behavior or start to behave like what they see on TV.
References
Watterman, A. (n.d.). Children and TV: The Negative Effects of Television. Retrieved from http://www.brainy-child.com/article/children-tv.shtml
References: Watterman, A. (n.d.). Children and TV: The Negative Effects of Television. Retrieved from http://www.brainy-child.com/article/children-tv.shtml
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
The estimated number of TV in homes is 109.6 million. (Parents Television Council, 1998) Many people know days always wonder whether television is bad. As well many have their views in which television is a learning tool or a bad influence for their children. There has been much research, which developed few issues between television and children coming from health issues to being use as a learning skill. As studies are developed there will always be health issues that will affect children that don’t have any physical activity as part of their daily routine. Others have discovered that sometimes watching too much TV can influence in how children’s attitudes and views can be affected. Children as they grow can retain many things which help them learn; as for example using television as a guide. There are many programs that are simply directed in children learning in order to have a better understanding of things. PBS is one of many shows that have been known to invest in children’s learning. Research shows both positive and negative influences on children and television. Television may have effects on children’s health, behavior, and learning regarding how they have activities with or consume television.…
- 1716 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
I believe that television can influence children in good and bad ways. Depending of what types of shows and channels the kids are watching it could actually be a good thing. If a child is only allowed to watch kids shows, and kids’ channels they won’t learn anything bad. If children are just watching shows like Dora the Explorer and Jake’s Neverland Island, they aren’t going to learn anything bad; they may actually learn things that are beneficial. With Dora the Explorer they learn problem solving and also get introduced to some Mexican culture and Spanish. If you were to let a child watch adult shows though, it may not turn out very well. For instance, if you let a little girl grow up watching shows like Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant, they grow up thinking that the way these girls act is ok, because hey, if they’re on TV, they must be doing something right.…
- 1131 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
The University of Michigan Health System expansive website shows that the negative effects of television do not stop at education. The website reports that children who watch TV are liable to have elevated cholesterol, problems sleeping, weight issues, and are more likely to…
- 474 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
These days just about every household owns a TV. There are many programs for children on the TV and we may think that it is harmless for a child to watch TV because they are “educational” or what not. True, some shows can teach your child some beneficial things such as learning to count or the alphabet, yet if a child is watching too much TV how can this impact the way children interact? And how much do you think is too much TV watching? Well according to the website (Kids Health from Neumors) they say : “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.” We may think, well why this is when the kid is under 2 years of age how can it have an effect on them. Well the website (Kids Health from Neumors) they mention “The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development.” I personally have noticed that kids in this day and age play less outdoors and when I was a child I always wanted to go play outside and use my imagination to create my own adventures. Now I see many parents struggle to get their kids to go outside and play. I notice many kids are addicted to watching TV or even more so be stuck on playing video games. According to (CNN.com) “ when you consider that more time is spent in front of a television means less time spent on homework or having stimulating interactions with adults or other children. In addition, late-night TV watching tires kids out so that they can't pay attention in school. Also, television hands kids all the answers, promoting passive learning and short attention spans. As a result, kids have difficulty concentrating and working hard to solve a problem.”…
- 1006 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
When the television made its first debut in the early to mid 20th century it came with good intentions. This idea of good intention however did not last long with the critics. As early as 1961 the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission referred to television as a “Vast Wasteland,” (351). Many other critics would come to share in his beliefs about television. There have been numerous books, articles, essays, and research done on the subject of television and its negative effects on children in particular. Marie Winn’s article is just one of many.…
- 1287 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Dr. John Grohol wrote an article called “Debilitating Effects of TV on Children” which explains that children who watch too much TV affects their academic performance, cause health problems, and possibly lose their innocence.…
- 529 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
According to the article “How TV Affects Your Child”, the first 2 years of a child's life is critical for brain development. It goes on to state that TV can interfere with children interacting with other children which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development. The author believes that advocates are pushing for more educational television, but most feel zero television time is the solution. I do agree with the author when they state that they feel it is important for parents to monitor the content of what a child is watching and limits how much time is spent in front of a television. However, I do not think that no television is the answer. Let's take a look at some pros of television.…
- 663 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
I agree that television shows influences our behaviors even without our knowledge of it. Although television seems like a great thing to have, it has many drawbacks. Television can have negative impacts on people, especially kids. People learn new skills by observing, then utilizing it, such as when we were kids and learn to walk by seeing our family walking around or learning a new subject in school. Therefore, when watching television it may influence our fundamental social dispositions; no matter if it is good or bad. Almost ninety nice percent of households possess one television. Television is today’s source of news, stories, legends, and characters from previous centuries; the reason why it is so influential. However, only “0.7 percent is used for public service announcements and news”(Sex, violence, profanity...). The other 97.3 % consists of television shows with violence, crime, advertisements and mainstream blandness. Many studies and research has been done to demonstrate that heavy television viewing may lead to serious health consequences. Television is great for entertainment but has grown into a major problem.…
- 1300 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Subject: “The Debilitating Effects of TV on Children” Topic: u02d2 The Debilitating Effects of TV on Children…
- 304 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Dr. Gohl article “Debilitating Effects of TV on Children” brings to light the long and short term negative effects that too much television have on children, which spans into adulthood. His purpose of this article is to educate parents on the dangers of television and highlight the facts based on Research to support his Argument.…
- 548 Words
- 16 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Lastly children that are exposed too much TV can show risky behaviors not appropriate for children. You may think a show is not bad but something simple as a child seeing someone smoking can provoke thoughts in the child’s head. Some TV shows and cartoons also promote racial stereotypes. All this can affect the child when they go out in the real world and how they treat others.…
- 357 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
White, Ann. “Television Harms Children.” Television. Ed. Jamuna Carroll. Farmington Hills: Thomson Gale, 2006. 71-76. Print.…
- 954 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
There is a relationship between watching violent television programming and an increase in violent behaviour by children (2,7).…
- 1693 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
Kids spend more time watching television every day than on any other single activity, aside from sleeping. Since the first television sets appeared in homes, in mid-twentieth century, television has grown into a phenomenon found in almost every household. In the beginning, there were only three principal broadcast networks; today, there are hundreds of channels available. There is no doubt that television has an impact on all of us, especially on children, so that it came to be accompanied with criticisms and concerns. Children love watching cartoons and movies, but too much of it during developmental years can have a significant negative impact on them. To minimize the potential negative effects of television, parents should be control TV watching and substitute it with healthy activities.…
- 1359 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Television can be of general benefit to children. It can bring them into contact with aspects of life they would not otherwise become aware of. It can provide a valuable tool in the home and at school not simply to keep children occupied but also, if used appropriately, as a constructive way to use their time….Television is not a ‘one-eyed monster’ lurking impishly in the corner of the living room, kitchen or bedroom waiting to exert an evil influence over young members of the household. It is a channel through which a range of entertainment, drama and learning can be obtained and experienced and increasingly these days it is under the control of the viewer (Gunter and McAleer, 1997: xii-xiii).…
- 8580 Words
- 26 Pages
Powerful Essays