Every day in the morning when having breakfast, I am watching TV - on the one hand to improve my English, and on the other one to know what’s going on in the world. At some point, the news is no longer interesting and I decide to switch to another channel. The choice of channels in the Wellesley Student Apartments is limited to only seven, and therefore, there is not that much switching. This is why it happens that I eventually arrive at a children’s TV program. Very soon I will be totally disappointed by the shows - I really have a feeling that television for children gets worse and worse. This is true for 
This is why the first socio-political topic that came to my mind has been "Children and Television in
A new study has shown that children who watch more than two hours of television a night seem to be at higher risk of becoming smokers or being fat, out of shape or having high cholesterol as adults. So its not just what they are watching, but it’s also what they are not doing eg exercise etc.
AntwortenLöschenHaitian,
AntwortenLöschenexactly this is what my essay will be about. In 1990, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) released a recommendation that children should watch no more than one to two hours a day of quality programming. Moreover, in 1999 the AAP issued stricter guidelines for children under age 2: Infants should not watch any TV at all. See Gavin (2008) and Miller (1999) in my Reference list.
Hey there my name is Oriana,:)
AntwortenLöschenI think that over the past few years it is clear that the care for what is depicted in children's TV programmes have decreased. The amount of violence that is being portrayed through the media especially with in cartoons has had a huge effect on the children of today. Some say that TV is pure entertainment, but this so called "entertainment" is negatively provoking children. Forcing children to perform these "cool" stunts, but failing to think about the consequences, that these children programmes fail to illustrate. "Viewing large amounts of TV violence does not necessary cause a child to act more violently, but it can contribute to promoting a view that violence is commonplace in everyday life as well as creating a heightened fear of being assaulted on the street." (http://www.netreach.net). I think that most cartoons that are being broadcasted within the media have many negative effects on children. Amongst all the channels of today there a very few children programmes where there is absolutely no violence being portrayed. So, now I think that the longer the children watch these programmes they will begin to have a mindset that acting out in such a verbal or physical way can stick with them for the rest of their lives.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation KFF:
AntwortenLöschenTwo-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen of an average of 2 hours a day thats crazy.I can understand that children the age of six and above can watch t.v because its good development for their learning. In saying all that children that play playstation alot and watch t.v to much it can led to a bad temper and lack of sleep.
Oriana,
AntwortenLöschenI firmly believe: When we asked the whole class whether violence on television (whether violent animated cartoons in our childhood, or all the brutal movies we have watched since we were allowed to watch them (or not...) have had a negative impact on us - I am pretty sure that the whole class concordantly would say: “No.” - Cartoons like ‘The Simpsons’ with its ‘The Itchy & Scatchy Show’, or ‘Happy Tree Friends’ would never cause us to strangle our fellow man only because we are mad at them or to slash open someone’s belly only because the person did not behave the way we wanted. Therefore, the question in my opinion is which kind of people is negatively affected by TV violence or other controversial issues on television? What do you think?
Oh hey thanks for the reply,
AntwortenLöschenI have done a little research and have found sources showing that “evidence is steadily accumulating that prolonged exposure to violent TV programming during childhood is associated with subsequent aggression.” I am not saying that programs will compose a serial killer and cause them to strangle or stab someone; I’m just saying that it can cause aggression towards others. Which is a negative effect right? Children’s feelings become number and amplify the lack of remorse for consequences. Another thing I found was that “studies have also shown a 12% increase in aggressive behaviour after watching violent television”.
I am sure that the majority of TV programs being broadcasted today contain some type of violence in them. Some programs can teach children how to be aggressive in new ways. Those children who see TV characters getting what they want by hitting are more likely to strike out themselves in imitation.
BUT, I don’t think that all programs are negatively affecting children. They can help and nuture their learning patterns by teaching them about wildlife on nature shows, they can learn how to do art and many more. But, despite all the advantages programs can cause lack of physical interaction between the parents. Also, having too much TV time can get in the way of reading, inter-acting with friends and family.
Check out these websites:
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/160/4/348
http://lib.bioinfo.pl/blid:1393
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_vlent.shtml
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html
Oriana & Haitian,
AntwortenLöschenI really appreciate all your comments, I am really interested in and looking forward to your comments on my other posts! I have to get started now since this entry actually was only supposed to be an introduction and now we are already so deep in the topic :D You have already said so much about the things I am going to write about :D Thanks for the research, I will have a look at it!
hey,
AntwortenLöschenno worries i just thought i'd try and help out and give you and insight into my views on your topic:)
Hi there. This is definitely an interesting topic. I just wanted to point out another effect too much TV can have on children which Oriana touched on earlier. On the whole children these days seem to be watching a lot more television than they used to. A couple of generations ago before the invention of TV, children were expected to entertain themselves because there was no TV to do it for them. Children therefore developed their own imagination from a young age and learned how to interact with other children. It seems to be a lot more convenient these days to put your child in front of the TV in order to keep them entertained for hours instead of expecting them to use their own imaginations. Children would have been a lot more likely to pick up a book or play with friends without the influence of TV. I think that generally the more TV children watch the less able they will be to interact with other people and most likely they will struggle more at school because they won't have learned how to think outside the square due to their lack of imagination. I personally think that allowing children to entertain themselves allows them to develop essential skills for later on in life. What are your thoughts?
AntwortenLöschenI think TV is a big and bad influence on Children. I hate to use my cousins as an example but it's the only way I can get my opinion across.
AntwortenLöschenI got too little cousins. One recently turned 14 the other 12. Now the lilttle 12 year old cousin of mine is skinny, about my shoulder height and very active. His older brother is 14 and very unfit. I think 14 year old is playing too much video games. Whats worse is he's way too overweight for his age and height and I'm shocked that my aunty's not doign a thing about it. I also think that some parents don't even care.
I could be wrong but if anyone can correct me please do so.
Hey there =)
AntwortenLöschenI have to apologize for my late response!
Natalie,
the issue you addressed also in my view is a really big one! You’re definitely right in arguing that other activities come off badly while watching TV. It’s not only the direct impacts of television like conveying bad images of violence or risky behaviours (drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, stereotyping etc.) that can be dangerous for the healthy development of children. Moreover, it’s also that television keeps them from other activities, both physical such as doing sport or playing outside with other children as well as intellectual such as reading. Watching TV is a more lonely “activity” - children don’t need to communicate which, as you already mentioned, can interfere with the social interaction skills. Therefore, watching TV is a very passive way of busying oneself with something. Properly speaking, children do not entertain themselves - rather they are entertained. What I read about this particular aspect of ‘passivity’ is that children will struggle with problem solving. They don’t use their own imagination, they are not creative. However, reading books and playing with toys benefit these important skills. Why are playing cards or a board game with family or friends that “old-fashioned” today…?
NiouJas,
in my opinion, the age of 14 or 12 is too late to start regulating the television habits of children. Parents should begin much earlier with teaching their children how to use TV properly. I think that it’s the same with sweets: Keep sweets or TV away from children as long as possible and they won’t miss anything because they don’t know it. - It might be right that some parents don’t care, that they are glad to “get rid off” their offspring. However, maybe this is only because they don’t know any better…
Thank you for your comments!