The Effects of Television Viewing

Based on the estimation, more than ninety per cent of the family units in the urbanized country have at least one set of television (Sharif 1999). According to Leigh (2001), since the first time television was invented, it has enthralled its audience from the all generations. This statement was supported by Dr. Thomas Alexander, who said that the television programs are designed to have a demand of undivided attention. The statistics from the American Time Use Survey (2003) indicated that the average hours per day spend by women on watching television is almost 2.5 hours and about 2.8 hours spend by men. Many said that watching give a bad impact especially to the children as their imaginative skills do not developed well since watching television is a passive activity (Leigh 2001). However, I strongly believe that watching television also have positive side effects. This is based on some reasons that could supported my statement which are television programs provide additional information to learn, encourages critical thinking among the audiences and refreshed our mind after having a hard work.

Firstly, television programs provide additional information to learn. The television is a good medium of teaching among the students. They are believable to understand more on what they have seen rather than what they have read. (Leigh 2001). In addition, news programs on television also ensure us to access to the latest current issues of local and world networking. Besides, Youngsters become wealth of information which allowing them to explore the beauty of the world (Rutherford 2002). They also can share and discuss with their friends on the knowledge that they get from the television programs about the global problems (Sharif 1999). So, I strongly believe that watching television have a positive effect.

Secondly, watching television programs encourages critical thinking among the audiences. They become more curios about the world around them. This makes them become expert on the cultural identity and the contribution of the other cultures to communities (Leigh 2001). Not only that, from the resolving of the conflict in the program shown, families can discuss the better solutions that are possible. The discussions help to develop critical thinking which is necessary for learning purposes and social interactions (Sharif 1999). Again, viewing television programs give a positive effect as it helps to develop critical thinking.

Lastly, watching television program also refreshed our mind after having a hard work at schools or offices. Young people can forget for a while about the frustration and stress caused by the increasing demands and expectations put on them. Hence, they become more refreshed and ready to concentrate on the other works (Rutherford 2002). So, watching television can help to relax our mind and body thus it proves that viewing television lead to positive effect.

As a conclusion, watching television have a positive side effects such as the television programs provide an additional information to learn and encourages the critical thinking among the audience. Furthermore, it also refreshed our mind after having a hard work at schools or offices. Therefore, I strongly believe that watching television also have positive effects instead of bad impacts that the people always thinking and talking about.