The Impact Of Television On Children - Positive and Negative

It is hard to avoid television if you are a child.  People in the house are usually tuned in to TV.  In some homes, the television is perpetually “on” even without anyone watching.  But how does watching TV really affect children?

Positive

1. Entertainment - From Sesame Street to Dora the Explorer and Arthur, kids’ entertainment shows teach children a plethora of skills ranging from handling emotional trauma, interacting with peers, navigating through tough situations, and stimulating their imaginations through interactive quizzes and thinking patterns. Entertainment shows keep your kids engaged, teach them new skills, and let them have fun – all in one package!

2. Education - Educational shows inspire kids to take action and engage in productive behaviour.

3. Sports - Watching sports shows such as football, cricket, and volleyball can be a great way to generate interest in outdoor activities. Sports shows encourage kids to be active and healthy, thus enabling them to engage in physical behaviours which, down the line, bring emotional and physical well-being.

4. Creativity - From cooking, baking, arts and crafts to music and theatre, creativity is the cornerstone of TV shows. Art channels and shows involving music composing, drawing, and painting stimulate the mind and encourage children to answer their inner calling.

5. Healthy Stress Relief - TV shows provide a healthy emotional outlet for kids who go through stress in school or outdoor environments. A healthy dose of TV can do wonders for a child’s mood and emotional problems and protect them from emotional stress which can impact them negatively.

Negative

1. Steals Time - Children who spend too much time in front of the television may miss out on life’s opportunities. If your child is spending too much time watching TV, he or she may lose precious time which could have been spent on more productive tasks like mingling with friends, working on home learning, playing outside and other similar activities.

2. Kills Creativity and Imagination - If children spend too much time on TV instead of going outside and exploring the real world, they will not be able to develop a strong imagination. Since ideas are presented in front of the screen, children who watch TV excessively cannot stimulate their minds or come up with fresh ideas on their own, thus passively consuming and not actively creating.

3. Lack of Focus - Children who spend more than 2 to 3 hours in front of the screen on a daily basis often suffer from a lack of focus in classroom environments.

4. Negative Behaviour - According to research, watching too much TV can alter the brain structure and promote negative behaviour – especially violence and aggression. 

5. Causes Learning Problems - Learning problems due to excess TV time range from passive listening and underdeveloped listening skills to a lack of fine motor and creative skills. This occurs when kids do not engage in physically and mentally stimulating activities. 

What Can Parents Do to Protect Their Child From the Bad Effects of Television?

Parents can:

• Limit the number of hours their child spends in front of the TV.
• Ensure that their child is watching quality TV shows as opposed to inappropriate ones.
• Watch TV with their child so that they are sure that the content being consumed is informational, educational, and interactive. This can also foster a bond between the parent and child.
• Keep the TV set away from the bedroom and turn off the TV at the end of the show.
• Help develop a healthy relationship between TV time and complete tasks.

Jeannine Ucdereli
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching