Impact of Television (TV) on Children – Positive & Negative Effects

<h2>What Role Does Television Play in Your Child&rsquo;s Life?</h2> <p>If your child is watching crime drama or horror flicks and has nightmares during bedtimes, then you can be sure something is wrong with their television habits. A significant portion of children&rsquo;s time is spent in front of the TV, and it definitely shapes up their personality and attitude. The right kind of television programs imbue social and environmental awareness in kids and even promote social, emotional, and cognitive development holistically. Ensuring a healthy balance of TV time assigned to kids is important towards their development since you don&rsquo;t want them to turn into couch potatoes and skip healthy social and physical activities.</p> <h2>Positive Effects of Television on Kids</h2> <p>Some of the many advantages of television for children are:</p> <h3>1. Entertainment</h3> <p>From Sesame Street to Dora The Explorer and Arthur, kids&rsquo; entertainment shows teach children a plethora of skills ranging from handling emotional trauma, interacting with peers, navigating through tough situations, and stimulating their imaginations through interactive quizzes and thinking patterns. Entertainment shows keep your kids engaged, teach them new skills, and let them have fun &ndash; all in one package!</p> <h3>2.&nbsp;Education</h3> <p>Educational shows inspire kids to take action and engage in productive behaviours. If your child doesn&rsquo;t like traditional teaching methods, then educational programs can be a great way to let them learn while having fun. Educational channels like Wild Kratts, Sid The Science Kid, Hanya Kamu, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse teach kids problem-solving and provide them with a strong foundation in mental math and analytic thinking.</p> <h3>3.&nbsp;Sports</h3> <p>Watching sports shows such as football, cricket, and volleyball can be a great way to generate interest towards outdoor activities. Sports shows encourage kids to be active and healthy, thus enabling them to engage in physical behaviours which, down the line, bring emotional and physical well-being.</p> <h3>4.&nbsp;Culture Fever</h3> <p>Does your kid enjoy exploring and travelling? Introduce them to the wonders of the world through travel and cultural shows. Learning about other cultures will enhance social learning and development skills, encouraging your child to become a holistic thinker and interact with international peers in a friendly-fashion.</p> <h3>5.&nbsp;Creativity</h3> <p>From cooking, baking, arts and crafts to music and theatre, creativity is the cornerstone of TV shows. Art channels and shows involving music composing, drawing, and painting stimulate the mind and encourage children to answer their inner calling.</p> <p><img alt="Kid learning cooking by TV" src="http://cdn.firstcrycdn.com/2017/12/153915539-H-300x205.jpg" style="height:489px; width:716px" /></p> <h3>6.&nbsp;Improved Academic Performance</h3> <p>When TV is watched right, emotional and mental well-being follows. This leads to improved academic performance. According to researchers, children who watch informative and educational shows have been proven to outperform peers on multiple standardized tests and even perform at peak levels through junior and high school.</p> <h3>7. Healthy Stress Relief</h3> <p>TV shows provide a healthy emotional outlet for kids who go through emotional or mental stress in school or outdoor environments. A healthy dose of TV can do wonders for their mood and emotional problems and protect them from emotional stress which can result in them having to take anti-depressants or engaging in self-harm.</p> <h3>8. Learn About Technology and Latest Trends</h3> <p>With wide access to an ocean of content on TV, children pick up tools and techniques related to using the latest technologies and stay up to date with social and environmental trends. Kids become more knowledgeable than their predecessors and achieve informational enlightenment through the TV.</p> <h3>9.&nbsp;Language and Emotional Skills</h3> <p>If your child is learning a new language or mimicking speech patterns, you can assist him/her to understand vocabulary and sentence formation nuances through language programs and movies. Further, positive TV shows reinforce healthy emotional behaviours and teach kids social skills which are crucial to their future success.</p> <h3>10.&nbsp;Keeps Them Engaged</h3> <p>If your child is constantly ranting and prancing around the house and can&rsquo;t keep quiet for a single minute, then letting them watch TV to relieve boredom is a creative solution. This will keep them engaged without harming their cognitive development. However, you will need to ensure that this is practised only occasionally and does not become an addiction.</p> <h3>11.&nbsp;Encourages Social Participation</h3> <p>Kids who watch characters performing productively and being their best on TV try to mimic those behaviours in real life. This applies to competitive tasks and events as well. For example, if their favourite TV character is performing well in exams and participates in sports and social events, your kids will mimic those behaviours too and develop into well-rounded individuals.</p> <h3>12.&nbsp;Develops Personality and Fosters Independent Thinking</h3> <p>TV shows foster independent thinking skills and teach kids to think outside the box. These skills are vitally important in a world that puts focus on creativity and thinking from different perspectives.</p> <h2>Negative Effects of Television on Kids</h2> <p>Some of the many disadvantages of television for children are:</p> <h3>1. Steals Time</h3> <p>Children who spend too much time in front of the television miss out on life&rsquo;s opportunities.&nbsp;If your child is spending too much time watching TV, he/she may lose precious time which could have been spent on more productive tasks like mingling with friends, working on homework, playing outside and similar activities.</p>