Negative Impact of Television on Children

Undoubtedly, television plays a most important role in our lives. It is the cheapest form of entertainment. The entertainment industries have established that there is no real link between media and real-life violence. But hundreds of scientific studies have shown that media violence has a strong link to real-life violence, and children learn to accept violence as an acceptable norm and a solution to numerous problems.

Aggressive behavior in children passes through several stages. Usually between the ages of two and four, it is directed towards things rather than people. At the age of about six or seven, they are better able to control their aggressive outbursts. Studies have shown that watching television between the ages of two and four, might impair their social and emotional skills. At this age children require direct interaction with parents for better brain development. Parents, baby-sitters and teachers believe that the two to four year olds love to sit inactively watching TV. But given the choice children certainly love to play with building blocks, imaginative games, puzzles or making something with play - dough. Since there is no scope for imaginative games in the lives of busy parents television seems to be the most inexpensive way of filling the gap and playing the role of an ideal baby sitter.

Watching WWF fights, is on the other hand watching a show full of thumps, knocks, hurting an opponent, and jumping on senselessly. This program clearly sends out the message that 'fighting is fun'.

If children are constantly brought up in front of a television then reading habits are not instilled in them, and they are not encouraged to participate in outdoor activities. Only the world of television is their own private world. Of course when television replaces human companionship there is also a good chance of the child being influenced by it. Young children cannot process the information which they are imparted by the television, same way as adults. They think that whatever they are watching is true and this may lead to the corruption of their minds if too much violence is viewed by them.

Parents should take strict action so they can limit the negative impact of television as much as possible. They should set rules as to what should be watched and what should be avoided. Alternative to television should be provided, for example if a parent starts spending more time with the child, reads books with him or her, indulge in creative games and indoor crafts, there is every possibility that the child will start shunning television for the better means of entertainment provided. To end it, I say that parents attitude towards the children acts as the building block of their futures.