Television Watching - A Thief Of Family Time?

Television Watching is popular throughout the whole world. At the early stage of television in 1931, the chairman of the Radio Corporation of American said "the potential audience of television in its ultimate development may reasonably be expected to be limited only by the population of the earth itself". The numbers of television worldwide is estimated to stand at 1.5 billion, with many more viewers, love it or hate it; television plays a major i.e. in people's life.

Television Watching can be a powerful teaching tool. By means of it, we learn about lands and people we may never visit, "we travel" to tropical jungles and polar ice caps, to mountain peaks and ocean depths. We pee into the intriguing worlds of both atom and stars. We watch news as to happen in the other side of the world. We gain insights into politics, history, current events and culture. Television Watching captures the lives of people in both tragedy and triumph.

The time that many people devote to Television Watching is astonishing. Recently, global study showed that, on average; Television Watching per person is about three hours each day. North Americans watch four and a half hours daily. While the Japanese top the list at five hours per day. These hours add up. If we watch four hours daily, by age 60, we will have spent ten years in front of the screen. Yet, none of us would want inscribed on our tombstone "Here lies our beloved friend, who devoted one sixth of his/her life on Television Watching."

How are Television Viewers affected by a steady diet of Television violence and sex? Critics charge that Television violence causes people to act aggressively and to be less sympathetic towards victims of real-life violence. They also assert that the portrayal of sex promotes promiscuity and undermines rival standards.

Similarly, it has been difficult to prove that violence seen thru Television Watching causes crime and antisocial behavior. Many studies do suggest that there is such a link. It is hardly surprising, then that there are opposing points of view. A Canadian psychologist wrote. "The scientific evidence simply does not show that watching violence either produces violence in people or desensitizes them to it." "However, the American psychological Association Committee on Media and Society said. "There is absolutely no doubt that higher levels of Television Watching of violence are correlated with increased acceptance of aggressive attitudes and increased aggressive behavior."

Increasing number of Television viewers are becoming addicts. Though Television Watching offer much that is worthwhile, heavy Television Watching can cut into family time, hinder reading and academic performance in children and contribute to obesity. According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "Based on the cumulative evidence of studies conducted over several decades, the scientific and public health communities overwhelmingly conclude the viewing violence poses a harmful risk to children."

The National Institute on Media and the Family puts it this way. "We agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics that there should be 'NO TELEVISION WATCHING for children ages two and under.' These children, who are undergoing tremendous brain development, need active play and real people interactions to promote their developmental, physical and social skills"