Family Problems With Too Much TV
What’cha Watchin’?
Does it seem like your TV is always on, stealing the attention of your family from one another? What would happen if the perpetually hypnotic box were to be suddenly shut off for a length of time? Unthinkable?
Consider what would happen to those lethargic souls who now freed from their captivity would be left to devise some alternative source of living activity away from the grey screen. Such a scenario is playing out among a growing population of enlightened individuals who are defying the TV to regain their status as interactive, communicative, and even united “Families.”
“Kidstorm” the Problem: What kids think
Here is a list of thoughts that a group of children ages 7 to 11 years of age had about “the problem of watching too much TV.” The brainstorm is as follows:
Kidstorm Problem: What kids think about watching too much TV |
“It makes it hard to learn.”
“People can get addicted to it.”
“There are inappropriate shows.”
“Some shows have bad language.”
“Watching too much TV can make you lazy.”
“Watching too much TV can make you fat.”
“Watching too much TV makes you a couch potato.”
“Watching too much TV can give you a ‘square head.’ ”
“It can keep people from doing better activities.” |
It is clear that although children enjoy watching television, they understand that there are consequences for doing it excessively.
Is Too Much TV a Bad Thing?
The simple act of watching television can hardly be labeled a bad activity, but as with most things, too much is generally not good. The common practice of leaving the TV on for hours, and in some cases allowing the TV to be used as a babysitter give a whole new meaning to the term “captive audience.”
It is not uncommon for people to pass hours each day in front of the television. These hours of passivity accumulate and deprive families of conversation, learning, and opportunities to engage in healthy activities. Family members can be in the same room, only inches from one another, and yet fail to even speak or interact with one another because the TV provides every sight and sound.
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