Statistics tell us children between the ages 2 and 5
watch an average of more than 25 hours of television
a week - with some watching for 5 or more hours on a
daily basis! TV watching has been linked to all of the
following among our children:
The couch potato syndrome:
Children don't just look like they are vegetating, they
literally are. They enter a trance-like state with their
metabolic rate dropping as much as 16% below what is
in a normal resting state.
Inadequate physical,
intellectual, social activity:
Excessive viewing prevents young children from developing
skills that are vital to long term happiness; chronic
TV viewers depend on it for stimulation and satisfaction.
They don't run around, play with other children, look
at books or listen to stories; they don't exercise their
minds and bodies in any other way.
Obesity:
Obesity among children is up 50% in the last couple
of decades. The explanation is simple - too many calories.
TV addicts consume more calories since they snack more
and they burn fewer of them since they exercise less
and have a slower metabolic rate during TV watching.
Increase in aggression:
Watching violence on TV fosters aggressive behavior
in children; at the very least it dulls sensitivity
towards violence and allows young viewers to take it
for granted rather than being worried about it.
Increased fear:
young children find it difficult to differentiate between
what is real and what is not. They find fantasy as frightening
as reality because they tend to take all that they see
and hear literally. Even if they don't seem frightened
while watching the show, the fear manifests as nightmares
later on while they sleep.
Questionable values:
Few children's shows make a very commendable effort
to teach positive values such as honesty, sharing, tolerance,
kindness; many programs transmit negative values such
it is ok to use violence or to lie to reach your means.
Less effective coping
skills:
Experts predict that parents who click on the TV to
divert young minds from boredom, crankiness are encouraging
children to grow up unable to deal with the normal ebbs
and flows of life; rather than trying to work out problems
or figure ways out of boredom, these kids may gravitate
towards easy fixes and even develop self destructive
habits.
Lagging intellectual
and social development:
TV learning turns children into passive learners who
are bored with or unable to concentrate when learning
in school as it is not as exciting and fast paced as
TV. Excessive TV viewing in the toddler years can prevent
a child from developing a love for books, a relationship
crucial to continuing intellectual growth.
Less
imagination and creativity:
Television paints the whole picture and leaves nothing
to the imagination. With rare exceptions, TV shows don't
challenge to come up with new ideas and don't encourage
creativity.
Weak independent play
skills:
Children who watch a lot of TV often can't entertain
themselves. Spoilt by the ample stimulation of TV, heavy
viewers don't wish to put the effort into free play
that requires thought and stimulation. They lack the
motivation to entertain themselves through means that
require effort and imagination.
Weaker family and social
ties:
families that watch TV day in and day out may gradually
drift apart. There is often little interaction, little
sharing of ideas, feelings and values.
Despite it all, TV does have its positive sides. When
used to advantage, it can be a valuable educational
tool and allow children to be in the know of TV characters
their friends know and not feel left out. Busy parents
often resort to TV to occupy their children; it is a
convenient means to get their own jobs done and ensuring
their children are distracted enough to permit that.
To maintain peace in the house, there is no surer way
than clicking on the TV. For parents of toddlers who
crave for tranquil moments, the TV option is almost
irresistible.
