Parents should limit their children’s TV time to help them pursue a more active lifestyle instead of the sedentary lifestyle most kids develop from extended periods of watching TV. The ability for television to pull people in and create a hypnotizing effect that almost zombifys them is a scary thought; but a more scary thought is how it can affect a person negatively. Ann Froese-Fretz an editor for the Journal Of The Society Of Pediatric Nurses and writer of the article “Ask The Expert” interviews Jyu-Lin Chen, an RN and doctoral student at the University of California, and Christine M. Kennedy, a RN and associate professor at the University of California, states that “Heavy television viewing (more than 2 hours/day) is associated with fewer physical activities, less satisfying social relationships, few interpersonal interactions, low reading skills, low social achievements, and aggressive behaviors” (35). Ann Froese-Fretz goes on to state that the nurses feel “television viewing has been negatively implemented in the physical health, psychological well-being, and cognitive development of children” (35). This leads to many concerns but a main concern out of the bunch mentioned is the physical health of the child and it should be addressed. Ann Froese-Fretz makes the point that the nurses feel obesity is a rising problem for children and youth who constantly watch television (35). similarly Laura K. Certain and Robert S. Kahn state that “if school -aged television habits begin to develop early in life, then the roots of social disparities in obesity and violence may be explained in part of these early experiences” (634). With the limiting of television by parents many of these problems can be avoided. MH Proctor LL Moore, D Gao, LA Cupples, ML Bradlee, MY Hood and RC Ellison who are all part of the Section of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology at Boston University School of Medicine state that “Children who watch more television and play more video games may be less active in general and may have less favorable dietary habits. After controlling for these factors, television watching still remained an independent predictor of body fat change” (832).this can become a problem for the children not only during their childhood but through their adult life. Proctor et al. state that “Dietary patterns and physical activity levels that contribute to the development of obesity often track into adulthood, particularly among children who are obese during adolescence” (827). With Television being a central cause of many of the problems that correlate with children parents should take the extra precautions to limit the time spent watching TV so they can help them avoid a sedentary lifestyle and the physical health problems associated with it.

Children tend to develop a false sense of reality when watching television; they see what happens on their favorite television shows and believe that is how real life is. This poses a problem for children because a proper perception of reality is needed to maintain safety and will help the child stay away from danger. Dafna Lemish writes “television viewing involves both socialization and the social construction of reality. On the one hand, it introduces us to the world outside our immediate ‘here’ and ‘now.’ It expands, interprets, highlights, judges, legitimizes, or excludes social phenomena that the viewer encounters in reality or in the other media” (101). These representations of what the concept of reality brings will help keep the child safe in the long run and also help them deal with the world as it is now. Lemish goes on to say that “the ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality is one of the primary differences between children’s and adult’s thought processes” (48). She also states that “children and adults use different structures of comprehension. therefore, social meanings, as children understand them, can be very different that those of adults. Developmental researchers often evaluate children’s understandings as ‘less’ – less complete, accurate, or relevant than those held by adults” (103). It is for this reason that parents need to understand that their children rely on them to teach them how to properly perceive real events. Parents should make a real effort to take notice to what their children are watching on television and question them on what they think is happening and tell them how it should really be perceived, even if very subtlety as to preserve some of their innocence. This also can be a little of an issue for parents because of the rate that children develop. Heather L. Kirkorian, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Massachusetts, Ellen A. Wartella ,a professor, executive vice chancellor, and provost at the University of California, and Daniel R. Anderson ,a professor at the University of Massachusetts, state that “some research suggest that children do not begin to discriminate between television and real-life events until the early preschool years” (42). This may be true and even if it is parents should still start early in helping their children determine between what is fact and what is fiction. The ability for the child to perceive reality is one that can be hindered by television and the parents should take it upon themselves to help them achieve such feats by limiting television viewing and explaining events shown on television.

Parents also need to understand that most of the television shows that children watch have very graphic, violent content and since kids imitate what they see on the screen, they tend to develop violent tendencies. Most television shows that children are interested in tend to have a lot of violence associated with it. The heavy action and “spectacular” effects draw a child’s attention with ease. “there is little disagreement that children all over the world watch a lot more violence on television on a regular basis then they would ever come close to witnessing in real life (Lemish 72). Certain and Kahn state that “the substantial amount of television watched by school-aged children and the associated adverse effects are increasingly well documented. Although a few researchers highlight the benefits of television, the majority link increased television viewing with higher rates of violence, obesity, and poor school performance”( 634). Even Lazar states that “Children exposed to heavy doses of television violence can develop antisocial values, which can lead to aggressive acts and tolerance of aggressive behavior” (67). It is for those factors that parents should make it a point to monitor what their children watch on television and determine if the content of what is appropriate for their age group. Lemish tells her readers that “Violence on TV is exciting, easily understood regardless of language and cultural barriers, and thus ‘travels well’ in the global market of television programs” (72). As stated by Lemish it is easily seen how violence on television captures audiences around a broad range of ages, races, and genders but it is also why children need to be limited to it as it has the ability to shape their personalities. In addition Lemish also tells her readers “a second undisputed fact is that, at the risk of over-generalizing, we can state that most children, from a very young age, watch many of these genres and thus are exposed to a variety of violent expressions on a regular basis over the entire life cycle” (72). Lemish goes on to say that “Television is a rich resource for such learning, in general, and of violent behaviors, more specifically. Violent programs supply children with many ideas for specific acts of violence. They also teach viewers the functionality of violent behaviors” (73). Children can be very susceptible to what they view on TV most children follow the concept of if they can do so can I. Lemish ends with “overall, correlational studies have found that children who were rated as more violent by their friends were also those who were heavy viewers of violent television. Furthermore, the more a child watched violent television in a given year, the more likely it was that the child would be rated as aggressive in the following years” (76). Violent television programing is very dangerous for children and parents must take the initiative to monitor what their kids watch and the way they behave so they do not develop violent tendencies later in their life.

Parents need to understand that television has the potential to create decreases in their children’s academic success. The amount of television watched by children is tremendous and it interferes with their studying. Lemish states that “in reality, most children spend considerable time in both educational systems- school and television. On most days they pass from one to the other having learned to manage the differing expectations and conventions of both worlds” (151). But this is sadly not the case for most children they go to school learn what they need to as to get through the day but then go home turn on the T.V. watch it for hours on end and forget all that they learned from that day or from the previous lessons they had. She goes on to say that “there is a body of research that points out the possibility that there is a negative relationship between amount of viewing television, combined with specific kind of television genres, and performance in school, including literacy skills”(155). The shows that children choose to watch are not helping them gain the skills needed for them to achieve and/or retain the academic information that they are learning in school. They will sit in front of the screen and waste all that is learned on some meaningless cartoons that are not based on anything but pure entertainment. To make things worst most television creators only care about ratings. Lemish states that “commercial television stations disavow having any educational responsibilities. Above all else, their raison d’être is to make a profit by attracting as wide an audience as possible” (148). The higher the audience the better their ratings and the bigger the profit they gain from the corporations. Lemish also states “Furthermore, no evidence has accumulated so far regarding the possibility of there being a positive contribution of television to school performance” (155). In order for children to be able to retain the information they receive parents need to teach them how to perceive television. Hepburn states that “For students to achieve television literacy, they must be aware of how television programs, movies, and ads affect them” (353). With there being so few shows like Sesame Street and Barney and friends airing on television parents really need to watch out for their children so they can have peace of mind when it comes to what their children are leaning.

By limiting television parents can help their kids obtain an active life and a better sense of reality. They can also help them achieve more socially accepted tendencies by avoiding violence and learning how to get along with their peers. Most of all by limiting television and using the extra time to do more productive things they can further their academic success. Despite all the finding on the negative effects that television can cause, there still seems to be little change in the world. If parents take the time to help their children and not just leave them to fend for themselves and letting the television set teach them “its” ideas on the socially accepted views of the world, they can feel a greater accomplishment in life. Parents should take pride in teaching their children, by helping their children learn the parent can feel a sense of relief that the child will go forth into the world with the ability to not only distinguish between what is right and wrong but also acting upon it. Currently the state of children becoming “addicted” to watching television is steadily rising. If these limitations on the time children are allotted to watch television are put into motion by parents, then the parents should see a more active and attentive side to their children. This will inevitably help the children by keeping them moving, keeping them from unhealthy lifestyles, and/or by allowing them to use the new found time to study and improve their grades in school. Three years later Billy’s mother is again tending to her garden. When Billy goes up to her and tells her he is done his reading and asks if can he go outside and play with his friends now. Pleased with the news Billy’s mom allows him to go out to play. By Billy’s mom setting limits on the time Billy watches television he uses his time to study and read. He also found time to play with his friends. The truth is that television is slowly taking over the daily lives of all those who are able to afford its luxury. Though it may not be the intended result by its buyers it is the effect that is being produced. If the changes that are discussed are actually used parents can expect a better and more fulfilling life for their children.

Work Cited
Certain, Laura K., and Robert S. Kahn. “Prevalence, Correlates, and Trajectory of Television
Viewing Among Infants and Toddlers.” Pediatrics 109.4 (2002): 634-642 Academic Search Complete. Web 24 Sept. 2012.
Chen, Jyu-Lin, Christine M. Kennedy, and Ann Froese-Fretz. “Ask The Expert.” Journal Of The
Society of Pediatric Nurses 6.1 (2001): 35-38 Academic Search Complete. Web 2 Oct. 2012.
Hepburn, Mary A. “Media Literacy: A Must for Middle School Social Studies.” Clearing House
Vol. 72 Issue 6 Jun/Aug 1999: 352-356.
Kirkorian, Heather L., Ellen A. Watella, and Daniel R. Anderson. “Media and Young Children’s Learning.” Future of Children 18.1 (2008): 39-61. Academic Search Complete. Web. 26 Sept. 2012.
Lazar, Bonnie A. “Under The Influence: An Analysis Of Children’s Television Regulation.” Social Work Vol. 39 issue 1 Jan 1994: 67-74
Lemish, Dafna. Children and Television A Global Perspective. Malden: Blackwell Publishing,2007. Print.
Procter, MH, et al. “Television viewing and change in body fat from preschool to early
Adolescence: The Framingham Children’s Study.” International Journal of Obesity &
Related Metabolic Disorders Vol. 27 issue 7 Jul 2003: 827-833.

Source: Free Content Web-No author name provided.