Television has entered all of our homes and taken its place at the center of our lives. At first it was black and white, then it became colorful. In the early years, it seemed magical to everyone. Watching humanity’s first steps on the moon through television fascinated people. Since then, television has become a permanent part of our lives. In the beginning everyone wanted one, but today we ask: “Should television really have such a large place in our lives?”
If we believe that societies progress through new generations, then the relationship between children and television becomes an important question. Television combines visual and auditory stimulation and is therefore a very powerful tool. Because of this power, television has unfortunately become almost a basic need in adult life. Children imitate what they first see in their families. From birth, children observe our relationship with television, and television begins to occupy as much space in their lives as games and toys.
Saying “Let’s completely remove television from our children’s lives” would be wrong, but saying “Let them watch whatever they want” would also be wrong.
Of course, television has positive effects on child development. It can inform, support education, entertain, and help children become aware of what is happening in the world. However, today these functions are often overshadowed by advertising and entertainment.
According to Prof. Dr. Huriye Kuruoğlu from the Faculty of Communication at Ege University, television affects children in ten major ways:
- Its effect on turning children into consumers
- Its effect on the formation of sexual identity and relationships with the opposite sex
- Its effect on the relationship with the mother
- Its effect on the relationship with the father
- Its effect on violent behavior
- Its effect on reading, thinking, and academic success
- Its effect on cultural alienation
- Its effect on the deterioration of language
- Its effect on the independent and original formation of identity
- Its effect on the loss of childhood and innocence
Even without discussing these points in detail, it is clear how important television’s influence on children is.
Children use television for instant satisfaction and begin to imitate what they see in daily life. They unconsciously learn the models, emotions, and ideas presented to them. This unconscious learning is what makes television dangerous.
Although broadcasters have responsibilities, the reality is that television is an industry. Therefore, protecting children from the harmful effects of television mainly falls to parents. Even if we pay attention to warning symbols, children can still encounter negative examples in programs intended for general audiences.
The most important factor in reducing the effects of television on children is the amount of time they spend in front of it. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of 2 should not watch television at all, and that children over the age of 2 should be limited to a maximum of 2 hours per day.
Controlling the amount of time our children spend watching television and sharing that time with them allows us to see what they are watching and understand how they interpret it. Instead of putting children in front of the television simply to keep them busy, sitting with them while they watch helps us create new topics to share and reduces the possible harm caused by this “magical screen.”
Although computers, tablets, and smartphones have become even more common in our lives, and television may now seem more innocent compared to them, we have to start somewhere.
Sharing life and spending time with our children is perhaps the best thing we can do for them.
For a brighter future with children who think, question, create, and understand the world.