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Television: Teacher, Trouble Maker, or tool??

Do not know about you, but the TV is on in my house, much more I like. Before resorting to throw out the window, I decided to do an investigation to see if the TV is as bad as my gut tells me it is. While there are some bright spots, the research says that most of what is on TV is worse than neutral. Most television shows hurt our children.

Television is a tool. If used wisely, can educate and entertain. There are excellent programs such as Sesame Street, Blues Clues, Discovery, History, and displays on hobbies like cooking. When the appropriate age, TV can expand the horizons of our children. But most television is the limitation of our children. The following is a summary of the research and, more importantly, the suggestions of things that parents can do to minimize and mitigate damage. Note that the following also applies to computer use, music videos, DVD's, etc.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that television viewing can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior. Most of us are aware that Sesame Street teaches children who are ready for it, letters and numbers. Mr. Rogers teaches pro-social values. But many of us forget that by the addition, television everything is teaching our children something. And when we look at what most programs are teaching our children, can be quite frightening. Research on children's behavior, school performance, weight, sleeping habits, and the developing brain of the backup claim that television is harming our children.

Violent – Literally thousands of studies have examined if a link exists between exposure to media violence and violent behavior. Over 98% say yes. The research evidence is overwhelming. According American Academy of Pediatrics "Extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can contribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares and fear of being harmed. "The kids become immune to the horror of violence gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems, to imitate violence they see on television, and identify with the characters (victims or perpetrators) they see on television.

Research has shown more hours children spend watching television, most likely to display aggressive impulses and hostile feelings. This effect has been found to apply if television behavior is performed by a human or a cartoon character. And the aggressive impulses have been found to occur in girls as well as children and adolescents and adults and children.

Many parents think that as he grew up in cartoons turned violent and well, their children too. But studies have found that the amount of violence has increased dramatically and the kind of violence has changed. It is now more pervasive, more sinister, and more terribly realistic.

And the effect is durable. Watching television at age four was one of the factors that are associated with bullying in school primary.

Other behaviors – Children who watch more television began to smoke at a younger age. Watching television is an influence far strong on smoking initiation or smoking peers parental smoking.

Alcohol exposure on television and in music videos (like on MTV) is a factor risk for increased consumption among adolescents. Exposure to sexual content increases the likelihood that children become sexually active early in life.

Student Performance Data – Research has much to say about television and school performance. Watching TV may replace activities know that help with school performance, such as reading, doing homework, pursuing hobbies, and getting enough sleep. Effects of television in education are long term — positive and negative. Studies have found the following:

Children who watch educational television as preschoolers only had grades high, less aggression, and placed more value to college than those who saw any kind of TV.

Children who watched television shortly before the age of three years had significantly better scores in math and reading at age six.

Watching television as a child affected school performance at age 26. More television viewing in childhood increased the odds of school dropout and reduced chances of getting a college degree, even after controlling for confounding factors.

Children who watched a lot of violent television at age 5 and a half, defined such as cartoons and movies rated G, had lower grade point average of English, mathematics and science in high school. Every hour a day watching for children 5 to 15 are associated with a 30% reduction in the probability of obtaining a college degree even with IQ and primary level of education considered.

Children under 2 ½ who watched Sesame Street (the version designed for children ages 3-5) showed a slower rate of language acquisition than those who did not. Shows like Power Rangers and Teletubbies slow children's development in vocabulary, reading and math.

Weight – TV is a factor in child obesity. Studies have shown that the most-watched television, the more likely of overweight as a child. Having a TV in a child's bedroom increases the chances of further obesity. Most viewed TV as a child of greater weight, serum cholesterol, lack of exercise and the likelihood of smoking in adults. Girls who watch too much television are at higher risk of developing eating disorders.

Sleep / Relaxation – watching television leads to sleep problems, especially given just before bedtime. Many of us have the idea that television is relaxing. I know I did. And while we're seeing is relaxing, though not as relaxing as reading a book. But studies show that a person is less relaxed after the TV is off than they were before they went. And they are less relaxed than those who have completed a physical activity or a quiet activity like reading or playing cards.

Brain development – research on early brain development and television do not is clear. Many studies link early television with later attention problems, including ADHD. Other experts agree with these results. However, the Most researchers agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics in their assertion that children 2 and younger should not have time screen. Toddlers over who should be limited to 1-2 hours a day of violent programs, education.

So what should parents do? How can we help our children develop positive viewing habits of television? How can we teach our children to see TV as a treat or special entertainment – especially when they can not watch TV that way ourselves? How can we help mitigate the effects Negative TV in a world awash in television? Many of the suggestions below come from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Monitor – How act of our children, after watching various television programs? Are they more violent? Are they more likely to have nightmares? Do these behaviors decrease when we decrease / eliminate Watching television during a period of time? Or when we eliminate some programs? The short term effects are easier to observe – the long-term effects are much more confusing.

Play – What are our kids saying that after watching different shows? What is what seems to be feeling? They reflect back to them what you think they are saying or feeling. This may help them and clarify their thoughts and feelings. Do you understand what happened? Often children miss the story line or get a completely different perspective than adults expect. It is easier to deal to children's feelings and perceptions in a calm way, in fact after hearing what they really are.

Ask questions and listen to some more – The questions can help our children to think about what I have seen, the process, and clarify values. Questions, adjusted for age, might include: characters are mad, sad, scared? Who could be hurt? How do you think they feel now? Did anyone get hurt if they did in real life? (Often the Children, especially those under 8 years can not distinguish fantasy and reality.) What would happen if you tried that? What do you think the security team is there but not showing? (Sometimes even young children imitate the behavior you see on TV reality shows). Nobody broke things? Who going to fix? Why do you think that the nature of damage to the other? What could be done without hurting someone instead? What would you do if you were this character? Does the appearance of abnormally thin? How many people really think that in real life?

Listening to and sharing of views — Is there a moral of the story and that their children get it? Was there no moral of the story or do not have consequences and that our children think they can get away with behavior unacceptable because their favorite character right? Link between the history of his family values. Studies show that in areas where a child does not know his parents' point of view and has little knowledge or experience to serve as guidelines, the television clearly can influence beliefs, attitudes and behavior. Noted that although the actor has not actually been injured or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death. For older children and adolescents, the use controversial programming as step-off point to initiate discussions about family values, violence, sex and sexuality and drugs. Reinforce positive behaviors and positive nutrition messages seen on television. Present alternatives to violence.

Challenge the claims in ads – it really makes us happier, more popular, more sexy. Explain what the purpose of advertising.

Recognize the need for children to feel grown up and current with the latest TV shows. This does not mean letting them watch programs that are not comfortable with, it means letting them know you realize your wishes.

Reduce / eliminate the time screen – Discourage television for children under 2 years, and encourage more interactive activities to promote the proper development of brain, such as talking, playing, singing and reading together. Be aware of second-hand television – young children watching programs from their older siblings or their parents watch. It is correct that some programs are only for adults. This could include news – can be traumatic for younger children contests, reality shows.

Limit children's time full screen (TV, videos, computer games) to no more than 1 to 2 hours of programming High quality day. Again, monitoring is vital. The V-chip is the regulated industry, and very loose interpretation. Often, programs that claim to be educational, in fact are not. The elimination or reduction of TV on school nights sends the message that school is more important than TV.

Monitor – Monitor shows children and teens are viewing. Most programs should be informative, educational, and nonviolent. Choose shows that are engaged through challenging and interesting content, rather than flashy graphics and sound. Make sure that the programs are age and developmentally appropriate. Not paying attention to their sons and interact with the program? If not, can be very difficult or too easy.

If you have not put a television in your child's room, no. If there already exists TV, delete it. Studies show that children with a TV in their room watch an hour more television per day than children without this do. And it's much more difficult / impossible to monitor and analyze the content of the program if the television is in the bedroom.

Refusing to allow children see shows known to be violent. Change the channel or turn off the TV when it comes to offensive material. Make sure to explain why. If you decide to watch a violent show with their children, stress the belief that violence is not the best way to solve a problem.

Minimize scary stuff, especially programs that extol or sexualized violence – even (especially?) For preteens and teens. If you choose to see the violence, make sure there are real consequences.

Talk to other parents – While you can control the display in the home, unless the display is in a room, can not control what is seen at other houses unless you are in contact and agreement with parents. Similar rules help minimize peer pressure.

Plan to watch TV – Do you have control of TV – or not control of TV your family life? Does TV bring your family together or pull it apart? How much TV do you see your children? Does your conjecture watched TV with friends, at daycare, in her room, after you are asleep, seeing what another family member is watching? What is the content and quality of the programs their children? What is the context of what they see? Is the TV on in the background to one eye on television and the other in trying to conduct a conversation? Do you ship channel out of boredom or intentionally choose a program? Is this the result you want? The Most parents do not know the answer or have not really thought about these issues. Keeping a daily TV a couple of weeks will help answer these questions and begin to see what they remember. Aware of visualization means treating television as the tool that is aware and use it to help their children, not harm them.

Use the videocassette recorder wisely to show or record high-quality educational programs for children.

Consider going cold turkey – Studies of families without television for a period of time after finding that the initial withdrawal symptoms – and saw the anxiety, depression and aggression in the first 3 days – found that at the end of two weeks, families had adapted and replacing TV time with other activities. Families trying new things. Found interesting alternatives. Most TV again add to their lives, but did so on a limited and less bulky, more thinking.

Model Behavior – If you want your children to watch television attentively, will have to set an example.

Provide alternatives – When his son says I'm boring, is it your problem? Or is it an incentive for your child to be creative? They are available raw materials for creativity?

Even educational television is no substitute for active play. Children need to spend considerable time in active play. They need active communication, speaking and listening to peers and adults, especially parents.

Encourage alternative entertainment for children, including reading, sports, hobbies and games creative.

What are some things you can do together? Can I prepare the meal together? Can your child play in the kitchen with pots and pans while you get dinner? What activities are available they can do together? Can you play board games or cards together (alteration of rules for the youngest children have the opportunity)? Often, newspapers or websites have lists of activities low cost or free that can do together.

Make your children part of the planning process. They can reach all kinds of fun things you can not think. And it will make investments in the process of watch television more aware. Your family can make a pitcher of boredom. When their children say they are bored, they come to pick up something from the pitcher to do. Can be fun or it can be a chore. The fact that a task could be encouraged to find their own solutions to boredom.

And no, I have thrown the TV out the window yet, but we are treating viewers to be more aware.

By Karen Eble, Educator Certificate of Education of children

About the Author

www.CenterforParentingEducation.org
The mission of The Center for Parenting Education is to educate and support parents to raise their children in emotionally healthy ways. Our goal is to provide information and skills in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages parents to grow, change and make connections with other parents.

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