The Good And Bad Of Children And Television
The Good and the Bad of Children and Television
Television is an inevitable part of our lives, as well as our children’s. We rely on television for news from around the world, sports, and entertainment. Television has in many ways changed our lives. Adults and children spend more time watching television than anything else. Researchers in the US have estimated that when most students leave school they have spent 11,000 hours in the classroom and 22,000 hours watching television. However, television can be a benefit as well as a danger to children.
First, television provides an educational way of learning about the world and its people. This can provide information in a more interesting and colorful way than books can. Often the way material is presented makes it more memorable, because it is more visual. Second, television is entertaining, an enjoyable way to relax. There are so many educational documentaries that can teach children about cultures in different countries. Documentaries can help develop critical thinking about culture and the world. When children watch educational programs they often develop better socialization skills as well as learning skills. Some programs help to explain issues that parents often have difficulty discussing with their children such as sex or drug issues. This can be a time that the family can spend time together discussing what was watched or enjoying a movie. Lastly, television can make us aware of environmental issues that are going on in the world.
In this crowded television environment, the key for parents is to search out high quality TV programs for their kids, and whenever possible, enjoy them together as a family.
On the other side there are the dangers offered by television that need to be pointed out in order for us as parents to make good decisions for our children. First, there is the fact that television can make children inactive. They don’t have to think in an educational way, which can lead to over...
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