TV Viewing. Are We Watching Too Much?

Since the television was invented, it has excited a great deal of interest. For the first time in human history, people across the world were able to turn on a switch and see what was going on in their own country and in others too. Births, weddings, deaths, wars and many other topics could be easily transmitted from the television screen. The TV provided much needed news reports and up to date information on how important world events were turning out, in an instant. How about today? How does the TV help us in our modern society? Are there any dangers involved in watching TV? We will discuss these topics in this article.

We have a great deal of choice today in how we find out quickly about the news. We can turn on the radio as we are driving to work, or we can go online and read about a particular news item that is shaping world events. Then there is the daily newspaper. Many of us would readily admit that we prefer the interaction we find on the TV screen. We like to fit a face to a news article, to see photos and video footage. This all helps us to form our own opinions, views and we then come to a conclusion on what we have seen.

How is TV viewing shaped to our goals in life? If someone could offer you a prize, what would it be? It is surprising how many would opt for a big flat-screen TV! Back in 1931 when the TV was still in its infancy and the average home did not own one, the chairman of the Radio Corporation of America stated: "The potential audience of television in its ultimate development may reasonably be expected to be limited only by the population of the earth itself". At the time, this may have seemed unlikely, but today, there are an estimated 1.5 billion TV sets in the world! So now more than ever, television plays a major role in many people's lives. Some people complain of being addicted to TV and wish they could lessen the time that they spend in front of the TV screen each day. But it can be difficult to do so. Some people withdraw their TV and then begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Although a little TV viewing can prove very beneficial and instructive, too much can lead to less family interaction. It can also reduce a child's academic performance in school and the sedentary lifestyle that TV viewing promotes can also be a contributing factor to obesity.

We need to be careful of the way in which we allow TV to shape and instruct us. Some forms are very educational and informative, such as travel shows that take us to fascinating parts of the world and we see glimpses of the ocean depth with its beautiful variety of wildlife, that we may never get to see in real life. We learn about other countries, cultures and this can help to expand our knowledge of geography and current events shaping the world scene. But the TV also has a darker side, that parents in particular are concerned about. The portrayal of violence and sex has increased dramatically in recent years and is often put across to viewers as "normal" acts. Look at the message that TV transmits to young TV viewers. Sex is portrayed as fun, uncomplicated and risk free. You do not always see married couples having sex, nor do you hear of actors discussing the best form of contraception to use. It has been suggested that this permissive view of sex has contributed to a change in morals and an increase in teenage pregnancies. We already know that TV can instruct us for the good. But it can also educate your children if you do not counteract the message delivered each day through the TV screen. You would not approve of a babysitter instilling harmful views in your children. Instead, you are unlikely to use that babysitter in future. In the same way, the TV is very much like a babysitter. It can entertain your children for hours, but that does not mean it is good entertainment.

Look at what sells at the box office today. Is it always a carefully written script or good actors? Oftentimes, it is the graphic killing scenes, "action" and special effects that are in such high demand. Before you allow your children to watch such films ask yourself: "Would I want my child to see a person being killed in real life?" Of course not! Just because they are watching it on TV does not mean that it is harmless. It can create an indelible impression on your child's mind and de-sensitize them to what death really encompasses, the pain and devastation it leaves in its wake. Children may even repeat what they have seen on TV and act aggressively towards other children in school. Violent deaths in schools across America are on the increase. I am not saying that TV is solely responsible for these crimes. But it may have contributed to it. According to the American Psychological Association Committee on Media and Society: "There is absolutely no doubt that higher levels of viewing violence on television are correlated with increased acceptance of aggressive attitudes and increased aggressive behaviour".

A solution that works for many people is to try and cut back on television viewing and to be selective in what is being watched. Do so gradually though. Perhaps you can set aside one day a week that is TV free. Instead of your usual TV viewing, use that time in more meaningful pursuits such as getting together with friends to share a meal, go out with your family or read a good book. It can be hard to fit in these activities if much of your time is often taken up with watching TV.
Being selective and scheduling what to watch will also help you and your family. So rather than coming home and just flicking through the channels for the next four hours, look in a TV guide and find out what you would really like to watch. Then when you find a show you want to watch, turn the TV on when it starts and turn it off again when it finishes. Alternatively, record the show and watch it later on. Edit or fast forward through the commercials and you are more likely to enjoy what you are watching.

For some though, they have found it useful to get rid of their TV altogether. This is a personal choice. It might be right for you, but it will not be for everyone. So think about how TV influences your life and that of your family and look at the things you want to do more of, such as spend more time with your family. How often have you told a family member to be quiet because you were engrossed in a TV show? By getting rid of or reducing your TV viewing time, you will be surprised at how much time you are left with each day. Time is so precious to us all. So use it wisely.