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Television in Our Youth


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1/8/19
Television. The way many of us unwind and relax. It is a source of entertainment, but what is the real effect of this on our youngest generation? I have read many different sources in which it is believed that television has very negative qualities that can shape a child's thoughts or feelings. However, as I have been exploring, are there any positives to this exposure?

 I don't mean to use my brother as examples so often, but I noticed something extremely interesting with him. Over winter break when we were exploring Washington D.C. when my grandmother pointed out a building unfamiliar to me and asked what it was. My brother told her that it was Ford's Theatre and that it was where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth. I was so surprised at his extensive knowledge and it turns out he learned about it from a cartoon TV show called Teen Titans Go! So the question is how much usable or important information is being shown in TV shows. While I noticed this negative aspect and am very curious about any other positive impacts of television, I do recognize the many negative affects.

I read in an article the effect of scary, violent, sexual, and advertisement content on our youth. It said that many get scared of the news and the scary or devastating events that are presented there. In addition there are scary scenes of unknown or possibly very real aspects of life. I see with many kids that they think they can handle it, but after a movie is over they ask to sleep in somebody else's bed for comfort. The news is a place where death and potentially scary aspects are shown to kids. However, where I did not agree with the article is about the news. I do understand that it may scare people, but I think it is necessary to see the world as it is, how can children adapt or cope with reality if they don't even know what this is? There is a certain age where kids should have a degree of awareness. The other more negative content I think is what is most damaging.

TV violence often puts in the minds of the youth that it is acceptable and a normal part of society. That as long as its for a good cause it is okay, but this is false and teaching this concept will lead to more violence and acceptance with it. As for sexual imagery, this can make the youth feel more self conscious or see themselves in a different way as they are maturing and finding a place in society. Last of all is advertising. I think that it makes the youth feel discontent with what they have and want more. That they can't fit in because they don't have something. And a lot of times these ads are discreet which is why it is so hard to combat.

In conclusion, I do believe the negatives outweigh the positives, but I am curious to know what the positive affects and the long term affects of television on our generation.
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Source: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/play-media-technology/media/how-children-see-tv#school-age-children-and-television-nav-title

Comments

  1. Kate TullyJanuary 9, 2019 at 1:12 AM

    I was surprised when you said that some youth got afraid from the news stories being broadcasted, I had never really thought of that possibility. I agree with your conclusion that television has negative implications on the youth, but I think even beyond the youth too with the prevalence of tv across all age groups it must pose as a detriment to more people than just kids.

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