Standard pieces of equipment in most homes, watching television has become a standard activity for most families. Although there are many excellent programs, many people think television is one of the worst inventions of modern times. All too often, television is harmful because of the shows it broadcasts, the effect it has on people, and the way it is used in homes.
First, heavy TV viewing leads to poor school performance. Most television broadcasters show a variety of programs 24 hours a day, giving the viewers a 24-hour service. More time spent watching these shows is linked with poorer school performance overall and decreased scores on standardized tests. The more time spent in front of a television, the less time spent on homework or had stimulating interactions with adults or other children, "On average, children aged 2-5 watch 14 hours of network television, per week" (Television project). This fact is further supported by a report in CNN news quoting the latest annual Media in the Home survey, conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center that "The average child in the United States spends about 25 hours a week in front of the television (including the use of VCR)", and "By grade 12, the average American child will have spent more time watching television than they did sitting in classrooms kindergarten through high school!" (Television Can Be Harmful).
Electronics recycling (including computers and tel...
Family watching television, c. 1958
English: American family watching TV (cropped)In addition, late-night TV watching tires kids out so that they can not pay attention in school. Television also hands kids all the answers, promoting passive learning and short attention spans. As a result, kids have difficulty concentrating and working hard to solve a problem.
Second, heavy TV viewing, heavy kids. There appears to be a strong relationship between time spent in front of the television and being overweigh. "This past March the...