TV programmes can affect child positively as
well as negatively. Therefore, parents should take proper steps to monitor what
child is watching. Read on to know more about the positive and negative impacts
of TV programmes on children and what parents can do.
Saloni is one of the fans of Hanna Montana. She is so crazy
about Hanna Montana that she has certainly started copying Hannna Montana’s lifestyle. She
is just 10 years old and by looking at her behaviour Saloni’s mother is tensed.
Her mother is not able to understand how just a TV serial can influence her daughter’s
life so much.
An idiot box called TV greatly influences kids. Though TV
programmes are entertaining they may influence kids positively and negatively. Kids
are just like clay and they get molded according to the environment in which
they are brought-up. TV programmes automatically becomes part of this
environment which influences the growth and development of child. Therefore, it
is necessary for parents to understand how TV programmes influences the child.
Read on to know how TV
programmes can influence children so that you can take right decision at
right time.
How do TV Programmes
Influence Children?
Have a quick look at how TV serials can affect children
positively and negatively.
Positive Influence of TV Programmes
Some good TV programmes have good effects on children. In
fact TV shows for children on some channels like Discovery or National
Geographic Channel can increase child’s knowledge. Such knowledge is a must
have in this competitive age. It is necessary on part of parents that they
encourage their children to watch such shows.
There are also some TV programmes which help children
understand the importance of proper nutrition, health and exercise. Apart from
that, children also learn a lot of things which are helpful in their academic
and future life. They can also watch quiz contests which increase their general
knowledge. Parents should motivate their child to take part in such quiz
contests on TV. Some TV programmes also provide opportunity to prove child’s
talent in dance,
acting, painting, win scholarships etc; which can prove beneficial for child.
However, parents should not force children to watch such shows if their child
is not interested.
Negative Influence of TV Programmes
Along with the positive effects, TV programmes can also have
negative impact on children. TV programmes affect the behaviour of child the
most. Most of the children watch cartoon films. They get infatuated with it so
much that they start using the dialogues used by their favourite cartoon
characters frequently.
If accidentally, children watch the TV programmes meant for
adults, it can prove dangerous. Such TV programmes are based on the concepts
like divorce, crime, murders etc; which can have a very bad impact on child’s
mind. At times, unwanted thoughts may start coming to their mind which can
divert their attention from studies and force them to do undesirable things. It
can create disturbance in child’s life and make his or her life stressful.
Watching TV for longer time can also deteriorate child’s health.
How to Avoid Negative
influence of TV Programmes?
Here are some tips for parents which they can follow to
prevent negative influence of TV programmes on children.
- Keep track of the time spent by your child
watching TV programmes and find ways to reduce the time. However, avoid yelling
or forcefully shutting the TV set.
- Make a note of the TV programmes which your
child watch and find out if they are suitable for your child’s age or not.
- Encourage your child to watch good TV programmes
which can help improve knowledge.
- Avoid watching TV programmes which are not meant
for children in front of your children. Once they see you watching these
programmes, even your children may want to join you. Therefore, you should
avoid watching such programmes when children are around.
- Do not force children to stop watching TV. Make
them understand calmly and softly about the side-effects of watching TV
programmes which are not meant for them. If you force them, they may find out other
ways to watch TV. For example, they may start watching TV when you are asleep.
- Do not cut the cable connection if your child is
not listening to you as such things may make them aggressive. If you want to
stop them from doing something tell them sweetly or give them reward for not
watching TV on a particular day.
- Play
with your child or purposefully indulge them with you in completing
household chores if they are watching useless programmes on TV. Try to occupy
them in some other tasks to divert their attention from TV.