When television swallows kids and spits out zombies<\/p>\n
By L.E. Nugroho<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Television can be a child's best friend. Kids
\noften spend more time with the television than with their
\nparents. Many kids turn on the television because they're bored,
\ntired or have nothing to do. They watch whatever program pops up
\non the screen, then continue with the next show and the next.<\/p>\n
Some psychologists recommend restricting the time children
\nspend watching television and playing computer games. They
\nbelieve such passive activities promote short attention spans and
\nrequire little initiative. We often hear about kids who spend
\nhours watching television but seldom read or participate in
\noutside activities. We've also been warned that television is a
\nbad influence on children that can lower school grades and turn
\nthem into "zombies".<\/p>\n
Instead of blaming the television, you can use it as a
\nteaching tool for your kids -- if you know how to use it.
\nTelevision can numb a child's mind -- or expand it. With the
\nvariety of programs now on television, it's difficult to
\ncontrol what kids are viewing, but it can be done. Here's how
\ntelevision can benefit your children.<\/p>\n
Start monitoring early. A typical child begins watching
\ntelevision between two and four years old. These early years are
\nwhen families pass on values such as honesty, kindness,
\ngenerosity and so on.<\/p>\n
Television, however, may introduce different values.
\nScrutinize programs to see what lessons are being taught. Avoid
\nprograms with anti-social content such as rude behavior,
\nfighting, killing, stealing, bad language, etc. Children are
\nlikely to imitate what they see and values are an abstract
\nconcept for younger children, so teach them slowly and
\nconsistently. You can send a message around the world in a
\nsecond, yet it may take years for a child to grasp it.<\/p>\n
Set the rules. Parents are the final authority on what can and
\ncannot be watched. Set time limits for TV watching. Two hours a
\nday is right for young school kids. There should be a good reason
\nto extend viewing beyond two hours in a single day, such as a
\nchildren's special or a wonderful children's movie. Homework and
\nfamily activities should always take priority over television. If
\nstudying for a test conflicts with a favorite program, the show
\ncan be videotaped. Once TV rules have been established, make sure
\nthey're understood by the whole family. Inform baby-sitters or
\nrelatives and others who may provide child care.<\/p>\n
Accompany your kids. Many children watch television alone,
\nespecially children in families with two working parents.
\nSide-by-side viewing is important. A parent's presence helps kids
\ndistinguish between quality and junk. Children absorb what their
\nparents think is dumb and what's terrific. When a program ends, a
\ndiscussion can be held to explore the children's comprehension of
\nwhat they've just seen. Teaching children how to make sensible
\nchoices is just one responsibility of parenthood.<\/p>\n
Negative effects<\/p>\n
What are the negative effects of television on your kids?
\nHere are the results of some studies which were conducted by
\nAmerican researchers. A study by Schramm, Lyle and Parker (1961)
\nshowed that television reduced children's playing, sleeping and
\nstudying time. Meanwhile, Comstock (1976) and Gebner (1978)
\nshowed that violence on television, animated or not, had been a
\ndriving force for criminal and aggressive behavior in young
\nviewers.<\/p>\n
Joyce Cremond (1976) wrote that television had a displacement
\neffect, a psychiatric term for a defense mechanism through which
\nan emotion or idea, usually repressed, is transferred to another,
\nmore acceptable object.<\/p>\n
Barrow (1973) concluded that some television films were
\npoisoning children's minds and contributing directly and
\nindirectly to criminal conduct.<\/p>\n
Robert Coles, a psychiatrist at Harvard University, says that
\nfamily is the moderating variable between television and
\nchildren's behavior. Children from less educated families will be
\nmore seriously affected by bad television programs.<\/p>\n
In the end, society must be aware that the responsibility for
\nscreening out bad television programs is not that of the National
\nCensor Board, but the job of a parent.<\/p>",
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