Is Too Much TV Really Bad for Kids?

  Many people believe that television is important in life because we get many kinds of information from television such as news, education, entertainment, culture, weather, sports, music, etc. Because of that, television is getting more popular for the younger generation. Many teenagers spend their spare time watching television because it gives many entertaining programs. However, they should be aware that television may have double effects for them, both positive effects and negative effects. The positive effects mean that they we can get new information or knowledge and we could learn a lot of new things from television. In fact, television also has many negative effects for teenagers, such violence and addiction. Television does not only influence bad habits but also triggers violent and aggressive behaviors. Many people think that violence in a child's life is a reflection of violence from television. Television does not only influence the process of thinking but also alters the way we see the world.  These days television influences the lives of many young children and it is only getting worse. It is very challenging for the young to choose what programs they should watch.  With both its positive and negative effects,  television is one of the most prevalent media influence in children lives.  
 
    In one side, television has good effects for many teenagers in Indonesia. Firstly, watching television can entertain us when they get stressed after doing some activities. Sometimes, after working and studying, they feel stressed and bored. Watching television is a way to relax our body and reduce stress. Secondly, television not only entertains but also improves their knowledge. They can improve their knowledge from high quality programs. By watching television, they can get lots of information and entertainment without spending money. If they want to watch music or sports, they can watch them from MTV and ESPN.  They can also have knowledge and exposure from watching programs on cultures. Thirdly, television helps children to spend time together with family when they are watching together.

 On the other side, television has bad effects for many teenagers in Indonesia. Negative effects
mean that many programs on television are not suitable for children. For example, there are many entertainment programs that show adult life and influences bad habits and attitude to children. There are many negative effects from watching local serial TV program showing bad habits of students: student brawling, drinking, smoking, kissing and using drugs. Many people think that television programs are not educative. In this case, uncontrolled watching TV can trigger violence or aggression in children. According to a study, the crimes in Indonesia in 2008 increased to 40% while most perpetrators are teenagers. Secondly, sitting long hours in front of the television has been connected with obesity since physical activities decreases. Thirdly, children become influenced towards eating junk food as there is a lot of promotions on television. Fourthly, watching too much TV leads to poor academic performance as the children neglect to study. And the last, watching television also promotes lack of creativity and enhances passiveness.

  So, television may give both positive and negative impacts for children. If we want to keep them away from the bad habits of watching TV, we must know the solutions. For example, parents have to accompany their children while watching television. It is good if they can control their children to watch television. While for the TV stations, they should make high quality programs to help children become good people.  Television stations should have a mission not only to produce programs to entertain but also to educate the audience. If they do that, there will be more advantages from watching TV programs.

  In conclusion,  television is one of the most important media in the life of the many children because it can shape the their attitude. It can give everything to children from information to entertainment and education. Because of that, television can attract children attention more easily. They can also know many things in the world. However, parents should be aware that television has negative impacts too. Therefore, to minimize the negative effects of watching television it is important for parents to understand the effects of television to children. They can control when and what programs they children may watch. There are many television programs that make our children smarter. They also have to make sure which programs are good and which ones are bad or not suitable. Keep in mind that we have to  control television but not let television control our children.







By : Anonymous