A guest post…
Are you a parent of young children? Do you sometimes worry about the types of shows your children are exposed to on television? Do you ever wonder if television is having a negative influence on your children?
If you have ever worried about the effect television is having on your kids, read on for a short discussion of the negative, as well as the positive, aspects of TV.
First, it is important to remember that “television” can mean many different things to different people. There are plenty of shows available in every genre and for every age group. To discuss how each type of television program affects children would be a subject far too broad for this short article. Instead, we will consider television as a whole – whether violent or peaceful, controversial or incontrovertible, simple or highbrow and intellectual.
The vast majority of children in today’s society grow up with TV in their homes. It is a part of their lives every day. Most children, even if they are very young, can easily recognize and discuss their favorite TV characters and theme songs. They may even have some understanding of various television services and providers, such as Direct TV. Unlike older generations, which viewed television as a novelty, today’s children view their family’s television set as an ordinary and necessary home appliance.
It can easily be stated that most children love to watch TV. If given the opportunity, they would likely choose to spend hours watching their favorite shows. Many parents view this kind of behavior as a waste of time and believe their kids should be spending their time doing something more useful or more beneficial. They want their kids to have more hands-on learning experiences and spend less time staring blankly at a screen. These types of parents impose limits to the amount of time their children spend with the TV.
Of course, there is plenty of strength in the argument that there are plenty of activities for children that are better than “wasting time” watching television. It is always possible to spend too much time doing any activity. However, proponents of this viewpoint often forget one of the most important aspects of television, its ability to teach, educate, and inspire. Children learn many good things through television.
It allows them to observe how the world works, to see life outside of their home and school environment, and even to dream about having their own adventures like the ones they see on TV. It is important to understand that television can have a negative affect on your kids by exposing them to many things they are too young too see. But it is also vitally necessary to remember all the good things television can do for your children. Do not forget that it can enrich their lives and provide them with many unique learning experiences.