The estimated number of TV in homes is 109. 6 million. (Parents Television Council, 1998) Many people know days always wonder whether television is bad. As well many have their views in which television is a learning tool or a bad influence for their children. There has been much research, which developed few issues between television and children coming from health issues to being use as a learning skill.
As studies are developed there will always be health issues that will affect children that don’t have any physical activity as part of their daily routine. Others have discovered that sometimes watching too much TV can influence in how children’s attitudes and views can be affected. Children as they grow can retain many things which help them learn; as for example using television as a guide. There are many programs that are simply directed in children learning in order to have a better understanding of things. PBS is one of many shows that have been known to invest in children’s learning.
Research shows both positive and negative influences on children and television. Television may have effects on children’s health, behavior, and learning regarding how they have activities with or consume television. As one of the issues that affect children because they watch too much television is health wise. The biggest issue that has been targeted the most is children becoming overweight. “The number of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese has doubled in the past 20 years in the U. S. according to the APP. (LimiTV, n. . ) Obesity has become a big factor and one of the reason why is due to children not having physical activity part of their daily routine. Parents sometimes relay in the television to be some sort of a babysitter in case they are trying to finish any tasks they have. Making this caused a neglect of interaction with their children, and increasing the issue for becoming overweight. Becoming over weight there are other issues which includes high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, depression and low self-esteem. (LimiTV, n. d. Another reason which affects children, and overweight is all the commercials that are shown during their programming. Some of they are of junk food, McDonalds’, chips and soda, which contributes in the health issue. For example some of the ways that you should be aware of is when children begin to eat in front of the television or snacks don’t want to do any physical activities or like to be alone. Always in courage children to get out of their comfort zone and experience what the world has to offer. As recommended by LimiTV minimize watching television to 1 ? ours per day, have a healthy diet and have physical activity of at least of 30 minutes a day. (Boyse, 2010) Children health is very important other issue to look out for is ADHD or ADD. “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that robs children of their ability to focus and pay attention. Kids with ADHD are fidgety and easily distracted. This makes it difficult to stay “on task,” whether it’s listening to a teacher or finishing a chore. ” (Empen, September, 1p) The link between television and ADHD is unclear, but the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting young children’s exposure.
The group discourages TV viewing for kids under 2 years and recommends no more than two hours a day for older kids. To help your child develop attention skills, encourage activities like games, blocks, puzzles, and reading”. (Empen, September, 15p)There was a study made in April 2004 by Dr Dimitri Christakis and colleagues, people are who found out that watching television at an early age, 1 year trough 5 years, will develop this attention disorder at a later age. Additionally dealing with this disorder is accompanied by medication. One of the most common medications used is Ritalin; which helps to focus in daily task and learning.
All of this can be prevented by monitoring what children watch. Other issues that affect in children health is the lack of sleep they have when watching too much television. This has altered sleeping patterns and sleep disorders among children and adolescent. (Boyse, 2010) That’s why is very important to have a daily routine with children as young as possible to have a healthy sleep. This can affect them educational wise to health wise as well. Implanting healthy sleep is very important because this is when children are growing and developing.
As studies keep developing is very important to be aware of any issues that can affect children due to watching too much television. Although health issues are not the only reasons which affect children, also their behavior is influence by watching too much television. Some of the reasons are violence, sexual, and mimicking what other people does. There has been said that “The average American child will witness 200,000 violent acts on television by the age of 18” (Dowshen, 2011) which in all honesty children is expose to many things that sometimes parent don’t stop, and think what their children are watching.
The television has become a big part of this issues many cartoon, movies and television show many acts of violence and aggression which promotes being violent is ok. That’s why there has been TV programming ratings as well are movies ratings these are develop for a reason. (Dowshen, 2011) Parents should invest time and educate their children that violence is not ok and should not mimic any acts of violence when they are watched. There is the type of parents that neglect children and let them do whatever they want.
All these shows that promote violence can affect children in the long as well emotionally and mentally. Violence is one of the many issues that are promoted now days, but as well there is the issue of sexual content. Children have children grow and learn to understand things they watch commercial, movies or TV shows which shows sexually content. Many start asking question or they are influence to start to make the choice of becoming sexually active. Children as early as 10 years old have started to have sex with older partners or same age.
Making sure to educate our children that what is shown in the television is not real and should not be something to be playing with. It can affect them emotionally as well health wise getting any transmitted diseases they are not ready to face. Another issue that influences their behavior is smoking and drinking. As said before television one of the biggest influences there is for children is the television. They try to be cool and think that drinking and smoking at a young age is important in order to fit in. Why?
You might ask because they are still learning between good and bad if you as a parent are there for your child to make them knowledgeable. Now the most important issue that is important in the issue between children and television is learning. There has been for many studies whether television can be a positive effect in children life. (Jabr, 10/2) There have been many programs developed specially for this purpose to educate children and learn new things every day. One of the many programs is PBS Kids this is one of the best TV etworks that invest in the learning of children. For example some of these shows are Curious George, Sesame Street, Clifford the big red dog, Martha Speaks and Zoom. All these show have become a positive influence in children to help them learn colors, numbers, shapes, every day task and languages. (Kirkorian, 2008) There has been studies made that watch this show help your children prepare for early education and can be a great asset for children education. (Linebarger, 2011) These shows teach that learning is fun, and anyway you do it is a great way to learn.
Education has developed many ways to help teachers teach their students using different tools. One of these development are the use of the television, this has been a new way to help children learn new subjects every day. “Television can’t replace teachers. But teachers can use television well, taking advantage of its strengths. ” (Linebarger, 2011) In Conclusion, the influence of television in children affect health, behavior and learning both in a positive and negative way. By taking these issue have come to learn how it can improve and strength our children’s feature for a better tomorrow.
Sharing facts with other parents and children will help teach those new ways in how television is useful and harmful; and can grow knowledgeable. References Boyse, K. (2010,August). University of Michigan Health System Your Child. Retrieved from http://www. med. umich. edu/yourchild/topics/tv. htm Calvert, S. , Kotler, J. , Kuhl, A. , & Riboli, M. (2001). Impact of the Children’s Television Act on Children’s Lerning. Children’s Television Act 1990, 34. Retrieved from http://www. eric. ed. gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet? accno=ED45462 Dowshen, S. (2011,October). How TV Affects Your Children.
Retrieved from http://www. kidshealth. org Empen, K. (September 02, 2011). ADHD in Children. Retrieved from http://http://www. webmd. com/add-adhd/ss/slideshow-adhd-in-children Jabr, F. (10/29/2011). Turning on the TV does not turn off a toddler’s brain. New Scientist, 212(2839), p10-10,2/3p. Kirkorian, H. L. (2008, Spring). Media and Young Children’s Leraning. Future of Children, 18(1), 23pp. LimiTV. (n. d. ). Health Effects of Excessive TV. Retrieved from http://www. limitv. org/health. htm Linebarger, D. L. (2011, November). Teaching with Television. Phi Delta Kapan, 93(3), p62-65, 4p.
Parents Television Council. (1998-2011). Facts and TV Statistics. Retrieved from http://http://www. parentstv. org/PTC/facts/mediafacts. asp Piotrowski, J. T. , & Linebarger, D. L. (2010, October). Structure and Strategies in Children’s Educati on Television:The Roles of Program Type and Learning Strategies in Children’s Learning. Child Development, 81(5), 1582-1897. Wyatt, N. (2012,July 16). New Study indicate too much TV adds to children’s waistlines and hurts prowess. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://www. ottawacitizen. com/story_print. html? id=6940330;amp;sponsor
