Positive Effects of Television on Young Children
Introduction
Television is one of the most common electrical appliances in our homes and almost all individuals are exposed to it at some time or other. With regards to children, they are among the heaviest users of television. Television is most often exposed to a child who instantly becomes accustomed to its presence. Young children spend between three and four hours watching television each day. It has played an important role in their lives and its viewing has been a favorite activity for many of them. “TV viewing among kids is at an eight-year high. On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week in front of a TV—watching television, DVDs, DVR and videos, and using a game console. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of the TV. The vast majority of this viewing (97%) is of live TV” (McDonough, 2009). “Media technology now offers more ways to access TV content, such as on the Internet, cell phones and iPods. This has led to an increase in time spent viewing TV, even as TV-set viewing has declined. 41% of TV-viewing is now online, time-shifted, DVD or mobile” (Roberts, 2005). “In about two-thirds of households, the TV is "usually" on during meals” (Rideout, 2010). “In 53% of households of 7th- to 12th-graders, there are no rules about TV watching” (Roberts, 2005). “In 51% of households, the TV is on "most" of the time” (Roberts, 2005).
Television has its good side. It can be entertaining and educational, and can open up new worlds for kids, giving them a chance to travel the globe, learn about different cultures, and gain exposure to ideas they may never encounter in their own community. Shows with a prosocial message can have a positive effect on kids' behavior; programs with positive role models can influence viewers to make positive lifestyle changes. However, the reverse can also be true: kids are likely to learn things from television that parents don't want them to learn. Television can affect kids' health, social behavior and
Television is one of the most common electrical appliances in our homes and almost all individuals are exposed to it at some time or other. With regards to children, they are among the heaviest users of television. Television is most often exposed to a child who instantly becomes accustomed to its presence. Young children spend between three and four hours watching television each day. It has played an important role in their lives and its viewing has been a favorite activity for many of them. “TV viewing among kids is at an eight-year high. On average, children ages 2-5 spend 32 hours a week in front of a TV—watching television, DVDs, DVR and videos, and using a game console. Kids ages 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of the TV. The vast majority of this viewing (97%) is of live TV” (McDonough, 2009). “Media technology now offers more ways to access TV content, such as on the Internet, cell phones and iPods. This has led to an increase in time spent viewing TV, even as TV-set viewing has declined. 41% of TV-viewing is now online, time-shifted, DVD or mobile” (Roberts, 2005). “In about two-thirds of households, the TV is "usually" on during meals” (Rideout, 2010). “In 53% of households of 7th- to 12th-graders, there are no rules about TV watching” (Roberts, 2005). “In 51% of households, the TV is on "most" of the time” (Roberts, 2005).
Television has its good side. It can be entertaining and educational, and can open up new worlds for kids, giving them a chance to travel the globe, learn about different cultures, and gain exposure to ideas they may never encounter in their own community. Shows with a prosocial message can have a positive effect on kids' behavior; programs with positive role models can influence viewers to make positive lifestyle changes. However, the reverse can also be true: kids are likely to learn things from television that parents don't want them to learn. Television can affect kids' health, social behavior and