Introduction
Television was conceived early in the 20th century to convey information visually. Its popularity grew exponentially over the decades. Television has become one of the most popular forms of entertainment, especially among children.
The research by Helm and Spencer claims that, by the age of 14, children will have, on average, spent more time watching television than attending school (2019). Television abuse can be defined as excessive, illegal, and unauthorized consumption of television by both adults and children. Parents, teachers, and other parties responsible for the well-being of the children have often had conflicting debates on the level of abuse of television by both children and adolescents (Robinson, 2020). Some argue that television is not abused but rather educative.
The truth lies somewhere in between, as television is a double-edged sword that can harm, but also protect and guide. Television has both negative and positive effects on children. Therefore, stakeholders entrusted with television programs and parents should take measures to ensure that it brings more benefits than losses. Increasing television time may have negative effects on children, despite its benefits.
Positive Effects
Many people view television as a tool that can help children improve when used properly. They argue that television is an educational tool and that numerous channels air educational and informational content suitable for children. Television displays real-world scenarios and is an excellent medium for children to learn without troubling their parents (Helm & Spencer, 2019).
Apart from education, television is also a source of entertainment for children. Without indoor entertainment, children could end up bored or even depressed. During the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home measures, children, especially those without internet access, turned to television as their primary form of entertainment. The entertainment feature of television helps prevent children from other harmful forms of entertainment, such as drug and substance abuse (Nagata et al., 2020). In addition to entertainment, televisions motivate children to participate in sports such as soccer, basketball, and hiking.
Different regions across the globe have diverse cultures, and without television, children would not be able to know about them. Learning cultures makes children more mature beings capable of living harmoniously with other children and adults. Learning new cultures could also inspire children to take up new directions and try new things that their parents oppose, but are nonetheless beneficial.
The inspiration television gives to children is not limited to culture. Children can learn about art and science by watching some of the television programs that share this knowledge. They could also learn about various aspects of the world, including wildlife, geography, history, and religion. Many successful people today can attribute their wins to the inspiration they gained from television when they were young.
In addition to the arts and sciences discussed above, television teaches many valuable life lessons. People who have excelled in various aspects of life are often allowed to voice their opinions and contribute to the betterment of others in different areas. Likewise, some educators utilize television, particularly programs that are frequently watched by children, to provide guidance and counseling sessions.
Television also ensures that children are aware of contemporary things in their environment. Children who watch the news and follow current events are more likely to excel in theoretical subjects (Smahel et al., 2020). Although consuming this current content may not yield instant results in the child’s performance, it provides them with basic knowledge that gives such children a competitive advantage over others in later stages of life.
Watching the news on television with parents and other siblings also facilitates family bonding, which is essential for children (Courtois & Nelissen, 2018). Television also encourages children to read more. For instance, children who watch a TV show based on a particular novel will likely try to read the book about it if it is available. Television is also an excellent avenue for children to learn a new language. Many children from non-English-speaking countries can learn the language by following American television shows.
Negative Effects
People who oppose children watching television often say that if screen time is not limited, it could have adverse effects. One commonly cited negative effect of television on children is a reduction in physical activity (Kracht et al., 2020). Children who watch television for over eight hours often complain of eye problems. Studies have also revealed a correlation between excessive television consumption and childhood obesity (Kracht et al., 2020). People opposed to increased television time argue that the rise in chronic diseases in recent years has been influenced by excessive television consumption.
Children who spend excessive time watching television also experience limited social development (Stiglic & Viner, 2019). They lack enough interaction time with their peers, making them emotionally and psychologically unstable. People who undergo slow social development as children become adults with limited emotional intelligence and are more likely to be involved in crime (Thomsen, 2019). Excessive television consumption also leaves children with a limited social circle; thus, the benefits associated with social interactions are reduced.
People who are against television viewing among children also argue that a child who consumes excessive television is likely to have slow mental development. This argument is supported by evidence that has concluded television lowers cognitive abilities, particularly in children’s short-term memory (Fridberg et al., 2021). It has also been revealed that toddlers exposed to chronic sensory stimulation through screens, such as television, experience behavioral problems (Neophytou et al., 2019).
Various medical experts advise that children under seven should not be exposed to television. Educational programs designed for children are only encouraged if the child attends preschool. Some parents are concerned that their children may not always be exposed to appropriate content. The children who mostly know how to navigate the remote could have access to sexual, violent, and drug-promoting content. Television also encourages consumerist culture. Many advertisements target children and adolescents since they are easy to persuade.
One of the most significant shortcomings of television viewership among children is that it promotes and encourages violence and aggressive behavior. Television-related violence is a form of physical abuse caused by imitating those acts. Most people believe that television has a negative impact on their children and, therefore, should be either eliminated or properly managed. For instance, episodes of murders, bombings, rapes, beatings, and other forms of violence are frequently repeated in movies. Although videos containing such scenes often have age restrictions, it is widely accepted that there is no practical way of preventing their access.
Indeed, most parents and guardians are indifferent to what their children are watching. Tahir Mahmood et al. (2020) have discovered that programs designed for children, especially cartoons, are six times more violent than those designed for adults and youth. This could result in aggressive children since they often imitate what they see (Sharma & Suri, 2020). Violence associated with television viewership could result in either personal injury or harm to other children and even adults.
Rhetoric Devices and Logical Fallacies
Arguments in Favor
Authors who argue in favor of television consumption among children use many rhetorical devices and logical fallacies to make their points more persuasive. Helm and Spencer (2019) use logos to appeal to reason by stating that televisions can help people learn without parents’ intervention. Smahel et al. (2020) also use logos to show the benefits of television by providing evidence that children who watch television are likely to be good in arts and sciences.
Academic writers also often use ethos to create integrity and trust in their work and arguments. Ethos in the sources convinces the readers that television is good despite some disadvantages. Nagata et al. (2020) state that despite all the disadvantages, televisions are good since they prevent children from getting involved in drug and substance abuse. Another tool used is pathos, which evokes pity and courage. Courtois and Nelissen (2018) use pathos to show that television brings family unity.
Arguments Against
Writers who oppose children watching television use rhetorical techniques and logical fallacies to strengthen their arguments. Neophytou et al. (2019) convince the reader that screen time harms children by stating that their argument is based on evidence. Sharma and Suri (2020) state that the absence of both parents in the house is the main reason for inappropriate language among children. This is a form of pathos used to persuade by appealing to the parents’ pity and thus likely to influence behavior.
Heal and Spenser (2019) wrote their essay at a time when television accounted for 42% of the total screen time (p. 241). This is a narrative fallacy in which the authors use data from a particular region to generalize all aspects of life. Stiglic and Viner (2019) prove that the likely association between increased screen time and cardiovascular risks among children is just a fallacy, and the evidence for this claim is weak. Another problem facing scholars is falling into hasty generalizations without sufficient evidence.
Conclusion
Television has both negative and positive effects on children, which must be considered before deciding to apply it. On the positive side, television is an educational tool and can help children learn many new things. It is also a significant source of entertainment and a motivator, and it helps children understand different cultures. Moreover, it provides an avenue for providing knowledge in art and sciences and learning different languages.
On the flip side, television results in a reduction of physical activity, increased chances for obesity, reduced cognitive abilities, and increased acts of violence among children. If a reader were to look at the evidence provided in the paper without bias, they would conclude that television is not harmful to children but only hurts when abused. Therefore, the information provided in this study shows that televisions are suitable for children and have more benefits than disadvantages.
References
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