Are Children Watching Too much Tv?!

[Sugar&Spice]

With the busy lifestyle of parents today, many of them relay on television to babysit their children so-to
-speak. Everything is," go sit down and wach tv, mommy is busy." But is that the best choice?! In my opion children watch too much tv, they lack excerise, as well as mental stimulous. Another issuse is that they tend to imitate what they see on tv. So I want to know everyone elses opinion on this. Do you think that children watch too much tv?! And do you think that video games should also be limited. I said what I thought, but I'd like to hear other opinions, I'm looking forward to it.

[ColaPoP]

I used to watch a lot TV as a kid. I wouldn't necessarily said it rotted my brain, but it could have been better spent (with more productive results) doing other activitities. As to what you said about kids imitating what is shown on TV... I think on a impressionable mind, any sort of stimulis will have an effect on the way you think and behave. I don't BLAME TV for the way kids are behaving, I blame the people who allow those Ads/TV shows to go on. Parents can't be blamed for things they have no control of (what gets shown on TV)... if that was the case, then perhaps parents should not get a TV at all. It may seem like a drastic measure, but if I don't want my kids to watch TV all day... I'd get a babysitter, or take them out get active with them. You reap what you sow.

Hmm... I think a better "discussion topic" could have been.

Is spending too much time watching TV/using the internet such a bad thing?

Cos then we can actually battle it out in discussion, plus it's a topic we're probably all familiar with :rolleyes:

[Fearless]

Parents these days 'are' busy. I mean, the world today is really tough. Television, though there are better solutions, is a good way to distract Children. If I were a parent, I'd rather have my child in the next room safely watching television then send them outside without my supervision. Lol. :D ...I find that life without television is SO much better...but that's when your older. Television has grown into a child's past time. I find nothing wrong with it. Just use Parental Lock. :D

[bebyjaystaa]

hmm..i never watched "too much" tv when i was little. i just really watched it on saturday morning cus cartoons ! haha..i guess it's ok to watch tv, but not too much. nowadays kids learn so much just from watching cartoons & others. like fighting and those things. :wink2:

[aiksam]

ya last time i also usually like 2 watch cartoons... hmmm but many childrens are now smart they wont follow the cartoon actions.... lol coz tat could not be done..... yah nowadays they watch a lot tv... hmmmm

[Sugar&Spice]

First of all I want to say, thak you for your replys.
I enjoyed reading them. This is what I'm getting at though, alot of parents subsitute their time with their children with tv. And they don't monitor what their children watch. Spending time with their children nowadays, seems to be taboo for most parents because they are so usy. Leaving the child with nothing else to do but watch tv. And for that reason, is why I say that it is the parents fault that the kids don't get enough mental stimulous. What dose everyone think about that aspect?! Do you think parents should consider spending more time with their children, instead of letting the tv babysit them?!

[rsngdmns]

Actually, I don't think TV is much of a problem nowadays. More kids, especially those above the age of 8, are addicted to computers and video games, electronics that they can interact with rather than just sit around and watch. (Kinda like me)

But if you're talking about children at younger ages, TV is sometimes good for them. As long as there's control over what channels they watch, it's alright. For example, Sesame Street is more beneficial for really young children than actually detrimental. At least the children learn something and they're entertained. Parents don't necessarily have to spend all their time with their children, and not all children want to be cuddled by their parents 24/7, especially as they get older.

And as for mental stimulous, the parents should teach them how to read, and show them that reading is a good thing, and not that reading "makes them a nerd."

I guess you should specify exactly what age group you're referring to. (unless you did that already and i accidentally skimmed over what you wrote)

[ShuiMei]

Having super busy parents myself, my sister and I pretty much grew up watching a lot of TV, but I don't think it did us any harm, besides making us lazy. I'm seriously one of those people who is not at the belief at all that television is bad for children, there are of course some bad shows, but there's good shows too, and you can always learn something.

My sister actually learned English on her own from watching TV, shows like Tom and Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Teddy Ruxpin. When she was a toddler, before she went to school, she would sneak out of her bed, go downstairs and turn on the TV when my parents were sleeping. At that time my parents' English wasn't too good and they never spoke it at home, but before she even went to kindergarten she already understood English, and with that, she taught it to me when we'd watch TV together. Television pretty much gave us our first experiences with the English language and that's how we learned.

I also learned about a lot of pop culture references and societal things from TV while growing up. Maybe it's not the best show for younger children, but seriously, the Simpsons taught me and my sister so much growing up, things we didn't quite understand about everyday life and society, sure enough, it was on the Simpsons.

Our parents always discouraged us from watching it, but there really was an educational aspect of that show from a cultural/societal level. It really helped me understand the non-Chinese kids better and relate to them, it's through television how we became regular Canadian kids, and it helped us understand parts of the world and life that our parents never talked to us about.

Not stimulating? I honestly disagree with that statement. Like I said before, of course there's some bad shows, but there's lots of great shows as well, many that are perhaps 'safer' for children than say the Simpsons, but non-education-based television can be educational as well. Through my own experiences, I'm a beleiver in the beneficial side of television xD

[Sugar&Spice]

Okay, let me clarify somethings.
1. I don't think that parents should stay under their children 24/7. I was reffering to the fact that parents, just sit their kids in front of the tv and never spend anytime with them. Most of the times, theey don't moniter what the kids are watching.


2. The shows that I'm reffering to, are not the educational programs such as sesame street, etc. (I love the simpsons by the way) But I have seen children, that do nothing but watch violent films, and movies with explicit language. And more children are watching these things, then not.
These are the things that I wanted to point out. Tv can be educational at times. Because I watch chinese movies to help me with my chinese, and I like educational programs as well.(not sesame street:D) But I want to consentrate on th negitive aspects of tv. Because it has a big affect on children. VIdeo games, and computuers are popular, but when it comes down to it, kids almost always end up in front of the tv.

[ShuiMei]

Parents definitely need to monitor what thier kids are watching, and not only monitor but also talk to them about what they're watching. I honestly don't think violent films and shows will harm the kids so long as parents talk to them about what's real and what's not, because that's essentially the rationale that young children lack, it's important that parents explain this to their children. Mind you, it doesn't mean they're going to process this information...

It's a fact that young kids will imititate what they see, I remember playing "Power Rangers" and "Sailor Moon" in elementary school, and I remember watching some kids play "Power Rangers" and get hurt. In this kind of scenario, I'd imagine most people would blame television for giving children ideas, but there's some responsibility to the parents, some responsibility to the school teachers who are supposed to be watching them, and some understanding that kids are going to get cuts and bruises.

I do think we need some more responsible parenting, but on the other hand I think there's a lot of overprotective parents, the "helicopter parents" who hover around their children and won't let them experience life or pain, it's natural that parents want to protect their children, but on the other side of the spectrum there's also too much protection.

[KendoTiger]

I actually read something pretty interesting about this - I think it was from penny arcade (www.penny-arcade.com). Something about how television acts as media to transmit current culture, either through a passive or interactive story line. I mean, there really isn't any difference between them and books, except that much more information is transmitted (directly encoded through sight) - while you usually lose character thoughts (monologues?). Lastly, because it's cheap to produce (generally), you have a much wider, and lower (thought out - generally), author pool. *shrugs* thoughts anyone?

[orangeman]

I've seen a lot of tv, but most of them were from Discovery Channel, History, Food,etc. Educational shows interested me a lot.

I don't think it matters how long kids watch tv, but rather what kids watch. A hour of violence outbeats a few hours of Spongebob. Though cartoons these days are getting violent in their own way.

As for parent responsibility, some are too tired from work to care. They come home, eat, and spend some TV time to relax. You can't expect every parent to be active from a hard day of work. There's V-Chips to control tv programs, but I doubt many parents use that.

I watched a lot of tv, and turned out fine for the most part.

[Sugar&Spice]

Parents definitely need to monitor what thier kids are watching, and not only monitor but also talk to them about what they're watching. I honestly don't think violent films and shows will harm the kids so long as parents talk to them about what's real and what's not, because that's essentially the rationale that young children lack, it's important that parents explain this to their children. Mind you, it doesn't mean they're going to process this information...

It's a fact that young kids will imititate what they see, I remember playing "Power Rangers" and "Sailor Moon" in elementary school, and I remember watching some kids play "Power Rangers" and get hurt. In this kind of scenario, I'd imagine most people would blame television for giving children ideas, but there's some responsibility to the parents, some responsibility to the school teachers who are supposed to be watching them, and some understanding that kids are going to get cuts and bruises.

I do think we need some more responsible parenting, but on the other hand I think there's a lot of overprotective parents, the "helicopter parents" who hover around their children and won't let them experience life or pain, it's natural that parents want to protect their children, but on the other side of the spectrum there's also too much protection.

I don't want to make it seem like I just want to disagree with you shui mei, because I think your a bright girl. But there are some things that you said that I disagree with once agian.

1. I do not think that children should be allowed to view violent programs, as long as parents let them know that it is fake. Even if they did grasp the fact that it is fake, why would anyone want to let their children view violence?! Once a person, young or old, views something it stays in the back of your mind for a while. Why allow kids to fill thier minds up with violence, and disturbing images?! When they can fill thier mind with something beneficial?!

2. I agree that hovering over a child is not good. And that they need space to learn. But monitoring a child is not hovering. Also, parents are parents for a reason, to properly direct a child. Example, if someone saw a person put poison in a glass of water, and someone else came up to drink it. Should the person not warn the other about the poison, because he dosen't want to take away that persons right to make a decision?! No, he would warn the person. My point being, that if something is harmful, whether tv programs, of something else, that maybe damaging, mentally or physically. A parent should montior, and warn their children, not wait until they make the wrong choice, due to wrong ideas. And end up harming themselves.

Some years ago, a movie came out where two men went down into a subway station, and lit the ticket woman on fire. The next day, two kids, thought it was a good idea to copy off of what they saw. And ended up burning a ticket woman, and killing her. All because of what they saw on tv. I have no children, but have helped raise my 5 nephews, and worked with other children, as well. So I know how tv programs affect children.

[ShuiMei]

Damn it, I just lost the reply I was writing T_T; I'll try to remember what I said...

Of course no one wants to let their children be subjected to violence, I'm not particularly fond of violent movies of video games myself, though I suppose it depends on what one consideres to be violent, but what are you going to do? Monitor them all the time? For how long? and what's considered to be violent?

Is cartoon/animated violence okay as opposed to 3D/"real" violence? Is bloodless violence okay as opposed to bloodied violence? Are Disney films, many of which that are quiet violent filled with stories about heroes who fight and defeat villians, who in many instances will die, are they alright? Sure, movies with poor plots and mindless violence have little to offer in terms of educational or intellectual value, but I don't think subjecting children to only violence-free media is beneficial either. I'm not condoning the idea of children watching bloodied massacres on television, but media that is void of violence isn't necessarily better or more beneficial for children than media that may have some elements of violence. The world isn't pretty and peaceful, and even though I understand parents want to protect their children, the reality of the world we all live in is that there is violence, there is fighting, and I don't think sheltering children from this reality is anymore beneficial for them than allowing them to be exposed to violent subject matter on television.

I said that parents needed to monitor their children, not only that but talk to them as well, communicating to children effectively is the best way to ensure healthy development for a child. I just said that over-monitoring to the point of hovering could be problematic, kids need space too, just like everything in life, there needs to be a balance.

and it is percisely because parents are parents for a reason that I don't think responsible parents need to worry about a child's exposure to television. While I can certainly acknowledge the capacity for harm that media has on a child, its environment and development is much more influential, especially during the younger years of a child's life. So long as the child has a good foundation of morals and understanding of society, what's right and wrong, what's acceptable and unacceptable, I think the effects of violent media are minimal. There may be a few scrapped knees and bruises along the way, but parents who have effectively communicated with their children should not have to worry, and it's really only a cause for concern if the child's mental health and stability is in question.

The only people I'm concerned about are the children who have not had good or proper development or communication with parental figures, they are certainly more impressionable and more high risk, but is that really the fault of the violent media or the fault of their parents and the environment in which they grew up in? They both have some role, some responsibility, but the degree of that responsibility is not equal. What a child needs is nuturing and, like you said, direction, if they have good and healthy direction, I honestly think there is not much to worry about.

In regards to to the kids setting a ticket woman on fire, I just can't push the blame entirely on to a film- there was obviously something wrong with the children if they set a woman on fire. There's several questions that come to mind, like how old were they? Where were their parents? What was their mental health like? How was their home life? There was obviously something about these kids that made them do what they did, because I imagine everyone who saw that film did not go out the next day to set a ticket woman on fire because they saw it in a movie, simply because rational, moral people don't set other people on fire.

There's this trend, especially in news media, where when something like that happens, to blame movies, television, music, or video games, some from of media, and it drives me mad because it's not looking at the whole picture. Yes, human beings, especially young human beings are very impressionable creatures, but with the proper guidance and development, they will become rational members of society. I don't expect a eight year old to know what's right and wrong, but I expect them to have proper guidance and monitoring from their parents and social institutions around them (read: school), if they haven't and they grow up to do something violent (perhaps getting an idea from some form of media), is that the fault of the media, or the fault of the environment in which they grew up?

There was a shooting at a Montreal college very recently, where a disturbed young man entered campus with several guns and started firing randomly with little concern or regard for anyone or anything around him, he eventually ended up shooting himself and died. While doing investigations, police found a blog and profile of his on a gothic website and the news media began spinning the information, wondering if his act of violence was the result of gothic culture. He also played a few video games, first person shooters, and as you can imagine, new outlets began panning video games again, just as they have in the past.

My point is, simple exposure to violence isn't enough to trigger acts of violence, by nature of very young children who copy what they see, certainly, violent media can be harmful, but there's so much more to it, mainly the part that people like to skip over, the social aspect. I just think that if you are a parent and you are communicating with your child, monitoring your child, and your child is of good mental health, watching television or movies, playing video games and whatever or whatnot with some violent subject matter will not be detrimental to your child.

Wow, sorry I wrote way more than I was planning to, mostly because I got off-topic, sorry about that, I just think television isn't as harmful to people as society often tries to make it out to be. I think most of us grew up in front of the television, and so far as I'm concerned, we turned out alright.

[Sugar&Spice]

Damn it, I just lost the reply I was writing T_T; I'll try to remember what I said...
Of course no one wants to let their children be subjected to violence, I'm not particularly fond of violent movies of video games myself, though I suppose it depends on what one consideres to be violent, but what are you going to do? Monitor them all the time? For how long? and what's considered to be violent?
Is cartoon/animated violence okay as opposed to 3D/"real" violence? Is bloodless violence okay as opposed to bloodied violence? Are Disney films, many of which that are quiet violent filled with stories about heroes who fight and defeat villians, who in many instances will die, are they alright? Sure, movies with poor plots and mindless violence have little to offer in terms of educational or intellectual value, but I don't think subjecting children to only violence-free media is beneficial either. I'm not condoning the idea of children watching bloodied massacres on television, but media that is void of violence isn't necessarily better or more beneficial for children than media that may have some elements of violence. The world isn't pretty and peaceful, and even though I understand parents want to protect their children, the reality of the world we all live in is that there is violence, there is fighting, and I don't think sheltering children from this reality is anymore beneficial for them than allowing them to be exposed to violent subject matter on television.
I said that parents needed to monitor their children, not only that but talk to them as well, communicating to children effectively is the best way to ensure healthy development for a child. I just said that over-monitoring to the point of hovering could be problematic, kids need space too, just like everything in life, there needs to be a balance.
and it is percisely because parents are parents for a reason that I don't think responsible parents need to worry about a child's exposure to television. While I can certainly acknowledge the capacity for harm that media has on a child, its environment and development is much more influential, especially during the younger years of a child's life. So long as the child has a good foundation of morals and understanding of society, what's right and wrong, what's acceptable and unacceptable, I think the effects of violent media are minimal. There may be a few scrapped knees and bruises along the way, but parents who have effectively communicated with their children should not have to worry, and it's really only a cause for concern if the child's mental health and stability is in question.
The only people I'm concerned about are the children who have not had good or proper development or communication with parental figures, they are certainly more impressionable and more high risk, but is that really the fault of the violent media or the fault of their parents and the environment in which they grew up in? They both have some role, some responsibility, but the degree of that responsibility is not equal. What a child needs is nuturing and, like you said, direction, if they have good and healthy direction, I honestly think there is not much to worry about.
In regards to to the kids setting a ticket woman on fire, I just can't push the blame entirely on to a film- there was obviously something wrong with the children if they set a woman on fire. There's several questions that come to mind, like how old were they? Where were their parents? What was their mental health like? How was their home life? There was obviously something about these kids that made them do what they did, because I imagine everyone who saw that film did not go out the next day to set a ticket woman on fire because they saw it in a movie, simply because rational, moral people don't set other people on fire.
There's this trend, especially in news media, where when something like that happens, to blame movies, television, music, or video games, some from of media, and it drives me mad because it's not looking at the whole picture. Yes, human beings, especially young human beings are very impressionable creatures, but with the proper guidance and development, they will become rational members of society. I don't expect a eight year old to know what's right and wrong, but I expect them to have proper guidance and monitoring from their parents and social institutions around them (read: school), if they haven't and they grow up to do something violent (perhaps getting an idea from some form of media), is that the fault of the media, or the fault of the environment in which they grew up?
There was a shooting at a Montreal college very recently, where a disturbed young man entered campus with several guns and started firing randomly with little concern or regard for anyone or anything around him, he eventually ended up shooting himself and died. While doing investigations, police found a blog and profile of his on a gothic website and the news media began spinning the information, wondering if his act of violence was the result of gothic culture. He also played a few video games, first person shooters, and as you can imagine, new outlets began panning video games again, just as they have in the past.
My point is, simple exposure to violence isn't enough to trigger acts of violence, by nature of very young children who copy what they see, certainly, violent media can be harmful, but there's so much more to it, mainly the part that people like to skip over, the social aspect. I just think that if you are a parent and you are communicating with your child, monitoring your child, and your child is of good mental health, watching television or movies, playing video games and whatever or whatnot with some violent subject matter will not be detrimental to your child.
Wow, sorry I wrote way more than I was planning to, mostly because I got off-topic, sorry about that, I just think television isn't as harmful to people as society often tries to make it out to be. I think most of us grew up in front of the television, and so far as I'm concerned, we turned out alright.


The first point I'm going to bring out is, the fact that you asked me what can be considered violent. I think it is quite obvious what is violent, and what is not. Of course superman fighting villans would not be the kind of violence that would be of any alarm. But this point is too frivolous for me to speak too long on.


The second point is, the fact that you said, you can't sugar coat reality. And that the world we live in is not a pretty or peaceful place. That is exactly my point. If you have to live violence everyday, and see violence everyday. Then why exspose children to any more of it for entertainment value?! You see it in reality. Also my point was, if children watch too much tv period. Not just focusing on the violent programs, but the fact that they no longer stimulate thier brains in a healthy way anymore. They don't get out and excerise, run around, etc. Because they are in front of the tube.


My third point. You said that the kids your concerned with are the one who have not had any proper communication, or parental guidence from thier parents. I'm not sure if you read my other posts well. But that is what I was saying all along, your arguing a point, but just proving what I had already said as right. I said, "parents who let thier children sit in front of the tv, and not monitor, or communicate with thier children. They just sit there in front of the tube all day." Those are the issues I was adressing. Ones that you already brought up. So what really is the disagreement here?!


My fourth point. I never said that the media was to blame for why children copy what they say on tv. You must read my posts carefully. I was pin-pointing the parents, and how instead of letting tv be the only thing they do. They need to spend time with them, and NO!! that is not hard to do. When I was young my mother had two jobs, hunreds of responsiblities, and still made time for us kids. Alot of parents don't take time to do that.

As far as the kid shooting up schools, and on weird websites. That roots back to the parents, not the media, or the websites. The reason I say the parents are responsible. Is because they don't take the time to stop and see what thier chilren are doing. Because obviously, there were warning signs that no one picked up on. I'm sure his attitude, and murderous behavior didn't happen overnight. If his parents would have noticed his strange behavior before he did what he did. They could have saved his life as well as other childrens lives. But instead they let the tv, or web, babysit thier children.


My fifth point. I never said simple exsposer to violence is a trigger. But a prolonged, constant exsposer to unaccceptable tv programs, whether it be violence, or any other inapproreate content.Tends to leave bad thoughts in children. Exspeacially when unsupervised.


My Sixth point. I never made this a media verse the people thing. This is about parents not supervising their children properly when it comes to the television.

[ShuiMei]

but what you may consider to be violent others may consider to be okay, and vise versa, even with superheroes defeating bad guys, lots of parents would consider that to be too violent. There's still hitting and fighting, there's dying and killing, and I also wouldn't say that violent television isn't stimulating, it's actually over-stimulating for some children, especially young boys who will emulate what they see on television at school.

Furthermore, if superhero violence and the like is ok, what isn't alright? What's the violent television programming that children are watching that is too explicit that they shouldn't be exposed to? I don't think I watch that much TV, but isn't most daytime/afternoon television programming for children comprised of cartoons? The most violent stuff I can think of that plays at these hours is the news, the more explicit stuff being on during Primetime where I'd assume parents would be home.

I think you're taking a lot of what I'm saying as arguments or attacks against your own posts when it's really not the case, I'm just replying to the general subject at hand and points you're bringing up, while bringing up my own thoughts on related subjects as well. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, in many areas I'd agree with you, so I'm wondering what you're being so argumentative about :D I never said that I thought you were explictly wrong about anything...

I think the main places where we disagree is that it seems you think watching too much television, regardless of monitoring or communication is bad for child, whereas I'd disagree and think it's fairly harmless. Most people my age grew up watching television and we ended up fine, and this next generation of children are more likely to grow up on the internet, which I suppose would have a more legitimate cause for concern, as unlike television, where there are broadcasting standards and controls, no one controls the material on the Internet.

[Sugar&Spice]

but what you may consider to be violent others may consider to be okay, and vise versa, even with superheroes defeating bad guys, lots of parents would consider that to be too violent. There's still hitting and fighting, there's dying and killing, and I also wouldn't say that violent television isn't stimulating, it's actually over-stimulating for some children, especially young boys who will emulate what they see on television at school.
Furthermore, if superhero violence and the like is ok, what isn't alright? What's the violent television programming that children are watching that is too explicit that they shouldn't be exposed to? I don't think I watch that much TV, but isn't most daytime/afternoon television programming for children comprised of cartoons? The most violent stuff I can think of that plays at these hours is the news, the more explicit stuff being on during Primetime where I'd assume parents would be home.
I think you're taking a lot of what I'm saying as arguments or attacks against your own posts when it's really not the case, I'm just replying to the general subject at hand and points you're bringing up, while bringing up my own thoughts on related subjects as well. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, in many areas I'd agree with you, so I'm wondering what you're being so argumentative about :D I never said that I thought you were explictly wrong about anything...
I think the main places where we disagree is that it seems you think watching too much television, regardless of monitoring or communication is bad for child, whereas I'd disagree and think it's fairly harmless. Most people my age grew up watching television and we ended up fine, and this next generation of children are more likely to grow up on the internet, which I suppose would have a more legitimate cause for concern, as unlike television, where there are broadcasting standards and controls, no one controls the material on the Internet.



Frist of all. I'm not being argumentive. There is no need for me to be. I used the word"Arguing" To subsitute for the word, debate. But I guess somethings have to be spelt out. I was not using"Argue" in a literal sense. It took on the meaning,"Debate" in this sense. Sorry about the misunderstanding.



Furthermore. you are now disecting cartoons?! Well I hadn't started out talking about cartoons, but since you mention it. Some cartoons show alot of blood and gore. Alot of the neww cartoons that they have now, are inappropreate for kids. Beings that we are not in the same country, the cartoons over here might be different from the ones where you live. So we can go on counting apples and oranges, or we can go on to my next point.


You also seem to be contradicting yourself on some points. Because at one point you say," Programs can be over-stimulating, especialy for young boys who emultae things they see on tv." Hmm isn't that the poiint that I have been making all along? Let me answer that,"YES." But here is were it becomes contradictory. When you say you see no harm in them watching alot of tv, after you made the statement that I just qouted you on.



You ask about the programing that I was talking about. Well if you gather that in the daytime its cartoons, and in the evening when the parents are home is when the explict tv is on. Wouldn't it stand to reason, that is what I'm talking about. Epsecialy when I said that children should be monitored by the parents. That would mean, the time of day when the parents are home, and those programs are on, and the parents don't monitor it. I really don't know why you are so hooked up on it being cartoons that I'm talking about.


Also, I don't think that anyone who disagrees with my posts. Are attacking me, or arguing, because this is a debate forum, so I exspect some opposition. But the only debates that I don't like, is when others grasp for things to say, and are redundant, or just go in circles with thier, debate/argument. Thats when I just leave the debate alone, when I see it is getting to become too redundant.

[KendoTiger]

Alright, since everyone ignored me (yes, I have been away for a while... still T_T), and I have an abundance of time, I'll make a stand.

Television as media:

With a growing global emphasis on technology as a means to transfer information, it is logical that stories - those devices we use to pass on socially acceptible behavior, morality, and even knowledge (heh) - would join humanity's technological evolution. From the most basic oral outlines, to the written passages, now stories have the ability to be portrayed visually or spread instantaneously throughout the world via the internet. Technology has allowed not only for accessibility to view, but also to create - leading to proliferation of more "seedy" interests of humanity. This is not good or bad in itself, as these tendencies existed before, but it allows for more people to come into contact with it. As mentioned before, television is one such outlet of the technological evolution - able to portray hundreds of small details each second, they replace the need for expansive explanation in regular texts.

Is it good or bad? No - it is neither. The expanse of details comes at the expense of a more limited audience imagination, although there is a significant time-saving factor. Thought-provoking film is readily available (try watching Miike). I will cover gore and desensitization later on, just noting it.

Violence in media (and more specifically television):
Since the earliest tales of man, gore has been a device used to not only show the consequences of actions, but to define morality. Hansel and Gretel deals with cannabalism, murder by burning, abduction, property damage, and slavery; Little Red Riding Hood includes prostitution, murder, animal mutilation - and in one European version, the drainage and storage of blood in jars and bottles. This goes beyond Europe: almost every religious text calls into use multiple forms of gore and violence, and where these lack, local legends make up for it.

The problem with television is not that it shows us more gore than what existed before - it is that is more readily available. Of course, this is true for all information stored digitally.

Television as a substitute for parenting:

Unfortunately, not every parent can be with their child all the time (as said before). Well, this is covered, I won't talk about it unless you wish to further discuss it.

I believe that a child should gain a love of reading, because it will help them greatly later in life. As long as the child divides their time between books and television (or other visual media), I do not especially care how much time they spend doing both (although having a balanced social life is important). If a child has had enough parenting to know the difference between real and portrayed violence, the reason for violence (as very few shows are violent for the sake of violence), and the consequences of violence, then I do not believe children must be supervised.

I can easily watch gory films (Ichi, Saw, Hostel, etc) with no disgust or nausea. I admit I'm desensitized to violence (although I would debate if it was due entirely to television). Yet I know the difference between reality and fiction, and have never had the wish to emulate what I see. Although violence in any media might give "ideas" - such as Son of Sam - it is up to the unbalanced personality of the audience to determine if real violence is committed.

Television's poor effects (in general):

You burn approximately 10-15 calories (kilocals?) an hour by watching television, approximately the same as sleeping or reading a book. Excessive time spent with a lack of motion - regardless of why - is bad for children.

Reading usually expands a child's vocabulary, as well as help them to read information faster (which is a useful skill in the business world) - yet the same can be true if the child watches foreign television with subtitles.

Desensitization can occur from many different available sources, I believe it is arrogant for someone to assume they can blame television entirely.

Conclusion:

I believe that unsupervised children, exposed to violence, is bad parenting; yet I believe that if the child understands all aspects of such violence, then no supervision is necessary because the child is mature enough to realize the difference between fiction and reality. Television is a poor substitute for parenting, but it is no different from letting your child read, or obsess over board games, or any such outlet. It is up to the parent to become involved in their child's life - to guide the child as they explore the world. To confine that world to the point of unrealism is idiocy, and will only have negative effects; better to explain the world as it exists, and what it means to be human.


Ps: I marked all of my text from after I came back as - I want to make the distinction because I am not changing my original work.

[Ginuwine]

Yeah children spend to much time infront of the TV, some of it is educational but the rest is just crap and is trying to change the way people are. Like say when a children program is airing they have mcdonald's ads to convince children to buy it and it usually works. Ages ago when our parents were young, they were out and about doing sport, working, or enjoyign themselves with friends. Now all we need is a TV, ipod, phone, Computer and you can do almost everything.

[Kristy888]

hey as young as i am id like to make an opinion as well
ok
to be honest I watch a lot of TV-dramas, series etc.
and i admit its bad for your eyes but it has done miraculous things to my listening and speaking skills
when i lived in malaysia id watch malay, chinese, english, indian movies etc and pick up the words thats why i could speak even better than the native people themselves
i knew more proverbs than my parents!
now im in the UK i watch korean, japanese and chinese movies etc.
reason being- to improve my language
i mean i am a cantonese speaker but from tv i learnt mandarin so my mandarin isnt bad either
anyway that was just to point out the good side of watching tv
obviously it does depend on your willingness to learn as well but back to the question are children these days watching too much tv
well not neccessarily
i think education has taken its toll in many asian countries the children just study study study not really tv tv tv
in some cases parents who r "busy" do get their kids to watch tv
but honestly i believe MORE children go on the computer than anything!!
so tv is like really the past
well for most people i know anyway
people prefer going on internet-games-chat ..you name it
sorry getting carried away..
well main point
some children are watching too much tv others r spending too much time on the computer
generally speaking its definite increase in children using electronic equipment
whether its bad for them depends on how long they do it and what they learn from it
in my case i never misuse the chances i get to learn from tv
then again dif ppl r dif
thats just my opinion of course =)

[pepprmint]

i dont think tv is bad at all, but being cooped up in front of the tv every day all day when its bright and beautiful outside makes the world seem like such a waste. of course i shouldnt be complaning, i spent all my summers as a kid at home watching tv...
i dont think tv is that bad, a lot of networks are making a case of putting more educational shows out there, like when i was young, my favorite show were the animal shows..so as long as the shows dont rot the kids' minds, it should be ok..but educational tv still isnt as great as working out the limbs outside. if it was my kid, i would be more at ease letting him outside to play in the fresh air than cooped up where i can see him..

[khanny045]

for an answer to the original question, yesm children are indeed watching too much TV... however whether that is good or bad depends on the child, content watched, and the parents

take me for example...
My first lanuguage was taiwanese.. not very helpful for a young American girl toddler who was about to start school soon. My parents realized this and set me in front of the TV for x number of hours, usually 1 or 2 maybe.. and i learned how to speak English that way, through shows like Mr. Roger's Nieghborhood, Sesame Street, and Barney. In addition, now there are literally hundreds of show that teach your children
want to learn about animals? watch Stanley or Go, Diego GO!
want to learn Spanish? watch Dora the Explorer
want to learn about investigative ideas? watch Blue's Clues
want to learn about classical art/music? watch Little Einsteins

the list goes on.

However, the child in question also need human interaction, ie hugs. It is proven that with human interaction, the chld might not be so intorvert as a teenager/adult.

also, the TV cannot be on all the time..

too much tv has been proven to harm the eyes, and even lead to obesity ( because of not exercising and instead watching TV)

[chrissiewoods]

yes they do. and they learn from watching too much tv... parents should be thankful tvs are invented. kids don't bother their parents whenever the parents are busy.

[pothie]

I don't think all TV is bad, but the amount of brainless nonsense should be limited ... TV isn't bad; it gives one a reprieve from reality, but ti's not something that everyone should depend on to occupy their children.
They are YOUR children, after all ...
Children can learn from the TV; that's what the History Channel, History International, Discovery, et cetera, are for. That's the kind of television kids should be watching.
But like I said - children need amusement, and a bit of cartoons or stupid shows are all right.

[stag]

tv is like medicine, just the right amount, too much is bad for you

[5uon]

yes kids watch too much tv and the material on tv is getting more obscene and violent
there are so many shows on tv and theyre always being advertisied
i however dont watch tv anymore - i gave up when there was too much to watch :D but my problem is i play alot of video games too
even though i am very entertained by them i still have to admit ppl are beginning to play too much videogames and its very unhealthy for you plus content on these games are even worse than tv
the only way to end these problems is getting more friendly sports groups going in the community or starting clubs for healthier hobbies than what kids do today

[chineseguyjl]

TV=GOOD
Children=too much tv
parents=even more

in the old days, 25 cents gets u into a double feature with whole bunch of shorts. thats 6 hours of sitting on ur butt getting bored. if parents complain about their children they prob have gone through the same thing and more.

tv is very good, but children watch tv to substitute thinking. when they come home their brains shut off and let the tv waste time.

[kwonsang26]

Well tv isn't always just entertainment.It can also be educational as well.Such as sesame street or Mr. Rogers.Basically,Pbs is all educational programming basically.But if you have cable,then there's the discovery channel,TLC etc.

I can honestly say many positive things I learned were from tv.About the kids learning negative things from tv.That's totally the parent's responsibility to teach the kids right from wrong along with morals.:D

[xiaoting]

Yes, children watch too much TV. It's horrible that parents just let their kids sit in front of the TV all day long. Shouldn't they talk to their kids, play with their kids, read book with their kids instead?? yes, TV can be educational, but there's not a lot of thought process included when watching. It's true that the TV makes you dumber. Everything is fed to you by the TV and children eventually become lazy.

[lil~jo]

Indeed....
See how many children wear glasses nowadays?

Its so bad....
Everyone is a couch potatoe.
The number of children becoming obese, due to lack of exercise and sitting infront of the tv all day long is increasing at such a fast pace.

The number of shows that arent made of kids are on too!
Not enough parental guidance, leads to future criminals who copycat crimes.
When they think if the tv can do it, they can too.

Its horrible, as these kids are our tomorow.
They're becoming unhealthier, more sickly, less knowledgable because they dont spend their time reading a book or playing sports, or breathing in the fresh air ourside.
There are more and more criminals now! Cause parents use the tv as a babysitter while they go out.
We seriously need to take action now about this.

[.: blacklily :.]

Yup, I agree with that. Kids nowadays are becoming max-level couch potatoes. Just can't take their eyes of the screen. Plus the parents also encourage their children to watch tv more, especially when they're busy, not at home, etc.

Some parents also choose to watch their kids watch tv all day, rather than giving permission to play outside. Coz of safety measures I heard. Sheesh... I think it's rubbish excuse. If you're afraid your child will get kidnapped or something, just go accompany with them larh... Going together the playground also is not so bad idea either. So why the constant excuse, saying that "we're tired of work... No time... bla bla bla"

If this goes on, in future we'll have no athletes at all in this world. Imagine that... :dry:

[diaoness]

way too much tv. in australia, weve got free tv, which has about 7 channels, then foxtel cable tv, which has a billion channels and then asians can also get chinese cable tv, which as another billion channels! honestly, with so many channels available, theres gonna be a good show on no matter wat time it is.
also, tv stations are making sunday nights like *non-stop comedy* or *beautiful sunday*, where they'll line up a whole list of programs which some ppl will watch from 6.30-10....crazy....and with all sorts of eye-catchine reality and tv dramas on telly now...the limit of 2hrs of tv a day is not enough...

i personally dont watch as much tv now...and considering im 16...
i usually only watch the news (for school..always forget to though), home and away (an aussie drama series) and the ocassional shows on chinese cable...

[alisadorsey@yahoo.co]

I do highly agree that children watch too much TV these days. Have you spoken to a child lately? If not the video game, it is about some TV reality show or some kind of program for kids they watch religiously. Don't get me wrong, I watched TV when I was younger, but the TV was not my babysitter nor teacher. My parents were my role models. I think that is very sad that when you ask a child a question today, they answer " Is that on TV?". That is when you know the first thing that they do when they get home from school is watch TV, and not do their homework.

[Qinghe]

As a kid, I watched TV, but my parents would rather I read than watch TV. I never really watched that much TV. Now I don't watch TV that much either. I only watch it for the news when my dad is watching or for school closings. Other than that TV is kind of boring. I think some kids may be watching too much TV, but from what I can see, most kids would rather do other things. Video games, however, are a bigger problem. Kids and teens both play more video games than watch TV. It may the substitute for the television. I believe both video games and TV should be limited. There is so much to do. I sometimes wonder why some people don't go and do something rather than just sit down and let their eyes wander about the TV screen, but sometimes boredom takes over too easily. Not all TV is bad though. Informational shows on Nova or the Discovery channel aren't too bad. It really depends on what they are watching as well as how much and how long they're watching TV.

[roxyloveschou]

I think that children are watching too much TV these days. If they are in school, it takes away from their schoolwork. How many of us are tempted to turn on the TV while doing homework? I know I certainly would rather be watching TV or playing video games than schoolwork. Instead of watching TV all of the time, children should read or do something active, like a sport, even something crafty. Sports can teach them all kinds of things, like teamwork. I think it is okay to watch TV if you are watching something like Discovery channel or the History channel, so you can expand your knowledge. This is all just my opinions though.

[chiru]

My mother NEVER let me watch television until I was a lot older. To insure this, she would even unplug all the cables whenever she left. (She knew I was too lazy to stick all the cables back in. xD) And what came out of it? I read more. When I entered Kindergarten, while all the others were struggling with reading, I was reading without trouble.

Now take two kids I know and have babysat before. The first one can not read or write. Nor can he count any farther than six. He wakes up around 6:00AM just to watch the kids shows that come on TV. He keeps watching until around 10:00AM when he finally goes to Preschool. And when he comes back? More TV. It's like a cycle. And did I mention that this child is only four yet he has Cable television in his room? The second kid is not allowed to watch any television and he can read, write, add/subtract, and all that good stuff. He is six months younger than the first kid. Big difference.

I think that kids of this generation are watching too much TV. Although, for the time I am not watching television, I am on JC.net or other forums. xD So I guess I have no reason to critisize....

[jay_chou_fan]

yes children are watching T.V way to much. I mean its bad for you and u go brain death. on the other hand, get some friends and play with them. T.V is the worst way to take ur time with. as to me, im in middle school and only watch 1 hour or 30 minutes of T.V depending on the days

[Petom JJ]

Children have been watching too much TV not only these days, but since the very inception of it. I think I watched too many TV when i was younger, I even study for exams in front of TV lol. Good thing I'm not that crazy anymore, I guess you will get over it as you gets older.
At any rate I agree that parents shouldn't let kids nowadays watch too many TVs, its too much violence and inappropriate content. I mean its hard to censor or watch what they're watching especially if you have too many channels. Which is why I'm strongly against cable/satellite tv, local tv with 3 channels are more than enough :tongue:

[LittleMissMishi]

That's understandable but you have to give kids a sort of balance.

You would want children to successed in life, not become the next cook of burger king (Not that I have anything against it.)

xoxo
-Mishi

[jay_chou_fan]

That's understandable but you have to give kids a sort of balance.
You would want children to successed in life, not become the next cook of burger king (Not that I have anything against it.)
xoxo
-Mishi
Balance? u kidding me? about 90% of kids at my school watch over 2 hours and tv or play games longer. how is that a balance when they only waste 30 mins on homework and no time on outdoor activities?

[Peach_happo]

To answer the question, children are watching too much tv.
A good example would be: Female teens and preteens these days. What do alot of them look like now? Don't most these days wear makeup and look skinny? I believe that this is under the influence of what they watch and what they strive to be.


However, I dont feel it has anything to do with the tv's fault.
In my opinion, I think its the parent/guidian's responsibility for child discipline.
It up to them to lead and guide the children, isn't it?
And besides, what harm does it lead to when you watch tv?
I dont believe a child watching violent films will turn violent.
I mean, it this even backed up with sufficient evidence?
And in case you didn't know, violent films have endings too.
For example: A murderer is caught by the police. He is sent to jail and is sentences for 20 years.

Then doesn't this, in a way teach children that if they turn violent/murdeous, then they will suffer similar consequences?

[darkreapers]

the more accurate question should be, are children using too much internet. lets face it, kids born after 1995 have never grown up without internet. its fast replacing TV.

all hail youtube!

[Jay_tee]

^LOL i agree for youtube :) without it i wouldn't be able to watch all my suju & azn stuff xD

I don't think its children watching too much tv. I think its what they are watching on tv these days. i used to watch heaps and heaps of tv all the way until I was 12 but it didn't affect my academic grades or anything because the shows were pretty interesting and imaginative. Now there are these really strange television shows being broadcasted to kids in Australia on ABC that are just plain silly or weird such as Yo Gabba Gabba which encourage them to act more nutty when they imitate them. My little cousins haven't even watched all those Disney movies but rather its revving cars and monsters and little barbie princesses which make the greater separation and distinction between boys and girls when they are just kids still. 0-0