Media - Television - Research Paper Example

Media-Television Introduction: The influence of media and television has long been obtained on children who tend to follow what they watch on television. While there are programs beneficial to them, other programs might be harmful, for example, children trying to attempt the superhero activities. The present study focuses on the use of media and issues of watching television by children.Media: Media in the form of television, video games, internet or movies influence the manner in which children get influenced towards their real-life activities.

Violent actions have been more associated with the influences of video games and movies in comparison to television. The reason could be coupled with different varieties of programs like cartoon shows that are also available on the television (Funk et al, 2004, p.35). Thus the media in different forms are influential on the actions and performances of children that is a matter of sincere concern for the parents as well as for the surrounding environment of the children as well. Issues of Watching Television of Young Children: For pre-school children although there are several interesting programs like cartoons or teaching lessons on television, yet it has been observed that such children are more prone towards aggressive behavior.

They tend to imitate the characters they watch on television and thus often behave aggressively and anti-socially. This particularly occurs with the children having the freedom to watch whatever they feel like eventually influencing their behavior (Daly & Perez, 2009). In this regard the responsibility of the parents matter to great extents. For school aged children, the influences depend on the quality of the programs they view. For example, educational programs tend to have positive effects on children.

On the other hand, there are certain negative influences also (Fingerman, 2011, p.349). Too much attachment with television leads them towards being less social, becoming aggressive, as well as following superhero figures. Moreover, children get attracted to products they watch in television advertisements proving to have a commercial influence as well (Bijmolt, Claassen & Brus, n.d., p.1).Hours of Television Watch by Children:It has been obtained that on an average, 38-45 hours weekly are spent by children between 2-18 years on some form of media.

Of these television has been found to occupy around 26 hours. Around 60 percent of the television shows present violent scenes that small children are attracted to (Daly & Perez, 2009). Studies on American children revealed that around 1.5 to 3 hours are spent by smaller children in front of television. Younger children watch more than adults and although variations have been obtained in the shows that they watch, but the rates of watching television have been found to be almost equal in boys and girls (Cherney, 2006).

Conclusion:Depending on the above study, it can be concluded that television amongst other media is highly attractive to smaller children and has significant influences as well. While there are programs that might have positive effects, there are other shows that reflect too much on violence that affect the normal behavior of children. Keeping in view the nature of children getting attracted to shows that might not be suitable for their ages, it can be said that parents and teachers need to be more careful towards having proper control and guidance on their children to prevent the negative effects of television.

References1) Bijmolt, T.H.A., Claassen, W. & B. Brus (n.d.). Children’s Understanding of TV Advertising: Effects of Age, Gender and Parental Influence, aeforum, Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from: http://www.aeforum.org/aeforum.nsf/d27aa4e05753477780256c5100355ea8/9d3f0fe16201d1998025679f00344594/$FILE/awmr0026.pdf2) Cherney, I.D. (2006). Gender-linked Differences in the Toys, Television Shows, Computer Games, and Outdoor Activities of 5- to 13-year-old Children, Sex Roles, Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from: http://www.icherney.com/Research/Publications/Sex_Roles_Cherney_London.pdf3) Daly, L.A. & L.M. Perez (2009).

Exposure to Media Violence and Other Correlates of Aggressive Behavior in Preschool Children, Early Childhood Research and Practice, 11(2), Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from: http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v11n2/daly.html4) Fingerman, K.L. (2011). Handbook of Life-Span Development, New York: Springer Publishing Company 5) Funk, J.B. (2004). Violence exposure in real-life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: is there desensitization?, Journal of Adolescence, 27, pp.23-39, Retrieved on April 2, 2012 from: http://www.lionlamb.org/research_articles/study%202.pdf