Television and its Impact on Children
Television and other media have become essential tools as most information is being delivered to the people using these technologies. In contrast with other media, TV remains as the most accessible form of media to most people including the young. However, its use by children has raised debate and concern as to the type of information that they are viewing and how this could affect their development, learning, health, and behavior (Jusoff & Sahimi, 2009). Therefore, there is a need to access the potential benefit or harm that TV has on the lifestyle and behavior of children of all ages. This essay will, however, examine the positive and negative effects that television has on children between the age of three and seven.
The Educational Potential of Television
Media, particularly television, can be used as an education tool among children. There are a few television programs that are dedicated to airing informative and educational content for the viewers, especially kids. For instance, Sesame Street is such a program that focuses on preschoolers (Fisch, Truglio, & Cole, 1999). There are also a few channels that air content that only covers school subjects such as science, math, art and craft, geography, and history. Television is also providing an excellent platform for exposing children to various languages around the world. Moreover, permitting the kids to watch the news stations, with some guidance, can aid them in staying up to date with current affairs and names of people who are making a difference in the world.
Effects on Brain Development and Behavior
Television can affect the development of the brain and behavior of a child. Similarly, too much TV can cause a concentration disorder. Although TV can be modified to portray educational features for children, excessive watching can affect the development of the brain and the learning process. Children within the age of three and seven years are social beings, and at this time they are developing specific skills such as reading. Since television programs give them varying time spans while watching, children may end up being unable to concentrate for a long while reading. The behavior of a child can also be influenced by the content that they view.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content
Television also exposes children to various vices. One cannot control what is always being broadcasted, and thus it is impossible to control what kids continuously watch on TV. As a result, a child can be exposed to inappropriate content such as drugs and violence that may influence their relations with others. The worst part of this early exposure is that it can give them a distorted view of these elements (Schmidt & Vandewater, 2008). For instance, the violence portrayed in a "positive" manner such as in superhero movies can provide them with the idea that being violent is not negative behavior. This can end up encouraging aggressive actions in some kids, which can be detrimental to their social development.
Health Issues Associated with Excessive TV Watching
Lastly, prolonged watching of TV among kids can lead to adverse health problems. For instance, TV watching is tied to childhood obesity due to lack of proper physical and outdoor activities. Too much screen time can also cause one to have vision problems. Moreover, a child may get exposed to other risk conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. Obese children experience stigma in society, which affects their self-esteem. Children who are exposed to TV can also develop an addiction that causes them to reduce interaction with their social life. As a result, such children have antisocial behaviors.
References
Jusoff, K., " Sahimi, N. N. (2009). Television and Media Literacy in Young Children: Issues and Effects in Early Childhood. International Education Studies, 2(3), 151-157.
Schmidt, M. E., " Vandewater, E. A. (2008). Media and attention, cognition, and school achievement. The Future of children, 63-85.
Fisch, S. M., Truglio, R. T., " Cole, C. F. (1999). The impact of Sesame Street on preschool children: A review and synthesis of 30 years' research. Media Psychology, 1(2), 165-190.
