Free Essay On Why We Tuned Out

While I do respect the decision of some parents to not allow their children to watch TV, I choose to take the middle road in this issue. Although I agree that children may not be missing out on much if they don’t watch TV, I think that there are some things on TV from which they can also learn. In this regard, I think that moderation is key and that extreme measures – that is, the complete prohibition of watching TV – are not necessary.
It is true that as statistics show, children spend too much time watching TV, but I think that if parents like Springen can impose a “No-TV” rule then they should also be able to impose a “Some-TV” rule. For example, when I was a child, I was allowed to watch TV for only a few hours everyday and only until a certain time, especially during school days. It did not turn me into a TV addict in the way that most kids are nowadays, but I still managed to enjoy the TV viewing time that I had.
Although I also understand that parents would want to prevent their children from watching TV in order to shield them from the harsh realities of life, I think that exposing them to some of these harsh realities at an early age will help them become a stronger or tougher person. They are bound to become aware of these realities sooner or later, so I think that it’s better for them to slowly develop this awareness while they’re in the comfort and safety of their homes and where the parents can provide them with guidance rather than have them learn about these realities in their actual lives when their parents may not be around. I have also had a somewhat sheltered childhood, which made it difficult for me to cope with the external environment as I was growing up. As such, I think that allowing children to become exposed to some of the world’s realities through TV will be a form of tough love that will prepare them for facing the world on their own.