Television and Children - Is It Always Wonderful? (2/2)

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The quality of children's programs is an especially important issue, because children are heavy television viewers who are strongly influenced by what they see. As we know, the most important interest of television companies is profit. They don't give much thought to what may be harmful for children to see. Some children's programs are educational and give useful and helpful information through cartoons, puppets, and movies. On the other hand, many programs show violence - fighting, chasing, shooting, and murder. With all this choice, children are affected in several ways:

1. Children don't develop a good imagination, because everything is pictured for them. When they read, they create pictures in their minds in order to follow story. With television, this is not necessary.

2. Children watch television rather than read book; it's much easier. Because children read less, their vocabulary is limited.

3. Many children don't understand the stories they watch but are impressed with the physical actions they see. They become aggressive in their play and are willing to hurt people. They learn that violence mean power: you can make someone do what you want by simply hurting that person. The strongest person "wins."

4. Children can't concentrate on a topic; they lose interest quickly. Pictures on television are usually fast moving. When a story slows down, the viewer changes channels back and forth. They get no practice in concentrating and then are bored with activities in the classroom.

5. Commercials teach children that being young, beautiful, and sexy are the most important personal qualities.

6. At an early age, children have a broad knowledge of what the world is like... near and far, below the oceans, and in outer space. They also become familiar with people of many ethnic backrounds working, playing, and living together.

Can anything be done to improve the negative points? The answer is yes, but it is not easy. Some helpful suggestions are:

1. Don't have television sets in every room in the house.
2. Don't allow television watching during mealtime or homework periods.
3. Discuss with children in advance which programs they can watch.
4. Watch television together with your children. Have discusstions about the characters; what is realistic; and what behavior is unacceptable.
5. Use some programs as a basis for more research of a country, an animal, a person, or a time in history.

Yes, television is remarkable... if we use it wisely!