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In the contemporary era, it is no secret that childhood experiences are undergoing a drastic change as compared to previous times. Today, children are brought up in an environment that is absolutely saturated with the use of different forms of media. After coming home from school, a majority of children go straight for the TV set to watch their favorite programs and stuck in from of the ‘magic box’ for hours. According to a national survey conducted in the United States, “children aged 8 to 18 years had an average media usage time of 7 hours and 38 minutes every day” (Agarwal & Dhanasekaran 38). The time spent in front of a television screen has undoubtedly serious effects of the physical and psychological health of children including obesity, attention issues, uneven sleeping patterns, violent behaviors, aggression, less engagement in creative and healthy play, and poor academic performance (Agarwal & Dhanasekaran 39). Furthermore, sitting in from on television sets for a long time period also exposes children to adult content, violence, inappropriate news reporting. and unsuitable programs thereby damaging their innocent minds. In addition, the less interaction with family members and friends also affects their social bonding skills as well as healthy physical development. Thus, it needs to be understood that even though television is a unique form of entertainment, information, and companionship, it also impacts the physical and psychological wellbeing of children in various disagreeable ways (Fritz).
Children, in particular, consider television as the greatest form of entertainment. However, the violent and explicit sexual content broadcasted on TV is the major problem with this invention. It is rather inopportune that television programs meant to entertain children are also subjecting children towards violent activities and sexual involvement. Today, one can easily watch that Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, as well as Cartoon Network telecast programs and cartoons that contain subjecting children to violence and sex. By constant exposure to such content, children learn aggression and violence through observation and imitation. Children watching their favorite cartoons show consider violent content as funny as “characters get shot with double-barreled shotguns and they get back up. It sets it in a humorous context with a laugh track, and communicates to preschoolers that violence is funny and it's OK to do" (as qt in Hurst). There is, however, no doubt that televised violence leads children to develop an aggressive behavior as cartoon violence has significant effects on children’s minds as violence in the real world (Hurst). It is expected of parents to realize that cartoon violence is not a laughing matter. According to the researchers, “it is paramount that parents get involved in what their children are watching on television, because decades of research, including several recent studies, indicate that heavy exposure to television violence can lead children to think it is appropriate to act in the ways that violent TV characters do” (Hurst). As the children are not capable of distinguishing fantasy and reality, the televised violent acts can result in several issues for children due to the lack of logicality (Agarwal & Dhanasekaran 39).
Watching television for excessive time makes children disobedient, big-mouthed, and hostile. They think that it is alright to talk back to their elders. Furthermore, the television programs also expose these vulnerable creatures to sex and drug abuse. It can be said that children have sponge-like brains that have the tendency of soaking up everything. Watching explicit content involving sexual activities and drug usage makes them receive the wrong message. As a matter of fact, the television portrays an imaginative and artistic take on violence, drugs, and sex. Therefore, parents need to have a regular check on the programs watched by their children.
This argument has been further augmented by a new research. It is asserted that even though television programs can help increase their education, they can also contribute in the destruction of their literacy development consequently lessening the interaction that usually bonds children and parents ("The Negative Effect of TV on Children's Literacy" 19). Children always need a one-on-one attention from their parents. The television cannot be the substitute of a parent. To simply turn off the TV and eat and communicate together is adequate to bridge the gap between parents and children. No matter what age the children are, they need their parents to spend quality time with them. Social isolation is a major consequence of watching television continuously. Anxiety disorder is also associated with this bad practice (Agarwal & Dhanasekaran 41).
Television is capable of clouding a child’s mind whereby he may become uninterested in his surroundings and people. For that reason, parents are required to establish several rules regarding the daily television screening time. Similarly, monitoring the TV programs watched by children is also necessary to get an idea of children’s interests. It is also indispensable to involve children in other activities like reading, playing outside, helping in domestic chores, etc. Another great idea is to compensate peer pressure among friends and classmates. This can be done by contacting other parents and approving the enforcement of similar rules about the screening of time and program type (Fritz). Such measures can lessen the probabilities of a child from demonstrating violence, involvement in drug usage, as well as sexual encounters.
Furthermore, almost no energy s required to watch TV. The developmental stages of childhood, on the other hand, require them to play in open air and explore the world around them. In the United States of America, child obesity has emerged as a great concern in the recent times. Children need junk food along with watching their favorite TV shows. This routine promotes unhealthy eating habits consequently making them lazy due to the lack of physical activities. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parents to set healthy examples for their children and encourage outdoor activities.
Besides television, parents and elders are required to introduce new opportunities for children to explore the world. If the use of TV is eliminated gradually on a daily basis, parents can disengage their children from committing aggressive acts. Also, the introduction of healthy physical activities can help children avoid obesity. When parents are available to guide their children properly, children can explore usage of children in more positive and healthier ways (Fritz).
Works Cited
Agarwal, Vivek, and SaranyaDhanasekaran. "Harmful Effects Of Media On Children And Adolescents." Journal Of Indian Association For Child & Adolescent Mental Health 8.2 (2012): 38-45. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Fritz, G. K. "Children And Watching TV: A Guide For Parents." Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter 29. (2013): 1-2. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
Fritz, G. K. "Screen Time: A Guide For Parents." Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter 30. (2014): 1-2. Academic Search Complete. Web. 4 Apr. 2016.
Hurst, Marianne D. "Researchers Target Impact of Television Violence; Helping Children Divide TV Fantasy From Reality Becomes a Top Priority." Education Week 17 Nov. 2004: 8. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
"The Negative Effect of TV on Children's Literacy." Education Journal 129 (2011): 19. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.
