What is behind the screen of an 'Idiot Box'

Although it is often called the 'Idiot Box', television has become an integral part of our lives in today’s world. It can enhance family bonding time and provide a shared experience for everyone in the household. However, discussions about the necessity of TV in daily life are quite common.

Just ask yourself how concerned you are about the cartoons or entertainment programmes that your children or siblings watch. Perhaps, they are glued to the screen everyday or even every hour, often without proper supervision from you as a parent, brother, sister, or an adult!

To gain an insight, try spending few minutes watching some cartoons with your kids or younger siblings. Comprehend what you are watching and analyse the messages, lessons, or morals behind these programmes or cartoon series. Television has indeed changed our lives, attitudes, and thoughts in many ways. Many people now spend more time watching television than engaging in other productive activities, such as reading or exercising.

Children, for example, spend too much time watching television or using computers and mobile devices. According to the study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, children's average daily time spent on screen increased from 53 minutes at the age of one year to more than 150 minutes for a 3-year-old.

Nowadays, television has become an essential household item, often replacing physical activities for not only children but also teenagers and some adults. In fact, television is a double-edged sword — both positive and negative. It is up to us to decide how useful or harmful it is to our lives, much like other electronic and smart devices we use today, such as iPads, mobile phones, and electronic games.

Television has its benefits... it can be both entertaining and educational. It opens new windows to the world for kids, allowing them to learn about different cultures and gain exposure to new ideas. Children might discover insights they would never encounter in their own communities. For millions of people around the world, television serves as a source of companionship, helping them stay updated on everyday happenings.

Moreover, television raises awareness of global responsibilities and fosters mutual cooperation and understanding among people from different nations. For instance, in 1985, around 1.5 billion people in 147 countries watched a TV pop concert that helped raise over $100 million for people in Africa.

On the other side, some argue that watching television today often involves exposure to fighting, violence, and foul language; it largely depends on who controls the remote at home. Children have become less aware of the joys of traditional childhood games, such as flying kites, building sandcastles, and playing in fields with friends. They also seem to lack the innocence that comes with being stubborn and naughty. Furthermore, studies have shown that children are more fearful of violence in news coverage than in any other media content, and this fear tends to increase as they grow older. Therefore, parents should pay close attention to what their children watch, not just in cartoons, but also in the news.

Parents should provide access to television for their children with caution. The impact of TV on children depends on various factors, including how much they watch, their age and personality, whether they watch alone or with adults, and whether their parents discuss what they see on TV with them. Watching television should be a fun and relaxing activity for both kids and adults, but excessive viewing can lead to family conflict.

Generally, the impact of television on children is complex and multifaceted. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in mediating this impact by monitoring content, setting limits on viewing time, and engaging in discussions about what children watch. It is always very important to manage how much time children spend watching TV to ensure a healthy balance with other activities. By doing so, they can help maximise the positive effects of television on children while minimising the negative ones.