television has been changing the way people live for thirty years. it influences nearly every aspect of modern life. how people use leisure time, how news is reported,how information is learned,and how people think and feel.
children are particularly susceptible to the effects of television because their minds are growing, developing, and learning much faster than those of adults. whereas television could be used as an educational tool for children, more often simple ehtertaining cartoons with little or no educational value are shown.
social scientists, teachers, and parents are troubled by the kinds of television programs children choose to watch.these groups of people are concerned about the media's impact on young .children. they are worried about the effects of televised violence on society as well as commercials for sug-
arcoated food. most importantly, however, they feel television is one factor that causes declining math and reading scores among schoolchildren. because of the excessive time spent in watching tv, children are spending less time reading
and thinking independently.
experts are concerned about the view of the world that youngsters are learning from television. parents, schools, and churches have traditionally been the social models and teachers for children. however, because television influences children's attitudes and behavior, its role in society is becoming increasingly more powerful--it is much more than a simple recreational activity.
exposure to excessive violence is another influence of television. according to several studies, televised violence may cause children to become more aggressive. also, because so much violence is seen by children on television, they become more used to it as the only solution to difficult situations.
children who watch a great deal of violence on television may become apathetic toward actual aggression. one study has shown that, compared to a control group, fifth-graders who watched an aggressive television broadcast were slower to ask for adult help when a fight broke out among younger children.