Influences that television viewing has - Essay Example

Television: A Threat to Child’s Mind Introduction Technology has proven its worth; people have embraced the advancement and its outcomes long enough. When televisions boosted into the market, every household tends to acquire at least one to include reason that it has brought all kinds of entertainment with just a few clicks away, making life easier. TV, a term popularly used to name a television set, may just be an innocent looking gadget; however, for most kids, this possesses the power to dominate their mind than anything else found in the house.

Nonetheless, this paper is designated to tackle about TV influences as well as its major consequences to a child.The Unfortunate ResultAccording to a study made by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or AACAP (2011), it was found out that kids view averagely to “three to four hours” for one day, realizing that kids have the tendency to give longer period dawdling in front of the TV compared to listening the discussions of their teachers. Additionally, Dowshen (2011) informs that the primary stage of a child’s life is a derogatory period in the “development” of their brains.

Using gadgets at an early age affects the child’s ability to think. This may further contribute to the inability to explore, play, and interact in the later years of the child. If the survey of AACAP was conducted among kids of two years old, it is not surprising that many teenagers these days find computer gaming and video viewing their only way of fun. The Cautious Side of TV ViewingThere are good things one can gain in TV viewing. To name one, it is where students like me can visually capture the beauty of an ecosystem (Dowshen, 2011), unless treated to an expensive safari trip or something.

So basically, information such as the animals and plants in nature, even the places, landmarks, and historical happenings, can actually be seen in TV without the hassle of actually being there to get firsthand the needed information. If handled and supervised properly, the child will eventually become more educated through such innovation. Too much trust given to television about getting hold of information, however, is not good. When a child grasps the idea that he/she can gain knowledge by just attending to informative shows in TV, the child may think that it is the only source of information, which is not true.

According to Boyse and Bushman (2010), television tends to demoralize and displace the ability to read because the child finds it easier to acquire information in TV and is not required to think much than he/she does in “reading.”ConclusionTelevisions were made to give people a better access to information while also being entertained. Unfortunately, these gadgets were abused that is why the idea tends to present their disadvantages. Although this is the case, it is not yet too late for parents to discipline their children when it comes to TV viewing.

They may even incorporate in their discipline the practice of exercising the mind through enhancing the “thinking” skills of their child.ReferencesAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2011). Children and watching TV. Facts for Families, (54).Boyse, K., & Bushman, B. (2010). Television and children. Retrieved from http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/tv.htmDowshen, S. (2011). How TV affects your child. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/ positive/family/tv_affects_child.html#