Negative Effects of TV

Shri Swaminarayan Bhagwan Ni Jai

Akshar Purushottam Maharaj Ni Jai

Gunatitanand Swami Maharaj Ni Jai

Bhagatji Maharaj Ni Jai

Shastriji Maharaj Ni Jai

Yogiji Maharaj Ni Jai

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Ni Jai

Mahant Swami Maharaj Ni Jai

Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav Ni Jai

IS TV AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL?

TV is a great innovation, and it can be beneficial if used wisely, however, it teaches us to sit back and accept instead of being proactive and thinking.

TV programmes or commercials brainwash us to purchase things we do not actually require.

The most bad effect of TV viewing is, it takes away time from reading, and improving reading skills. According to Dr. Seuss, "The more that you read, the more things you will know."

Next, DOES TV PORTRAY FACT OR FICTION?

One of the bad effects of TV viewing is that it appears to portray or report reality. In fact it isn't. Instead, it is allowing us a small glimpse of what's really going on. Most people accept whatever television is feeding them, without casting a doubt in their mind. We do not make an effort to search reality, we rely on the TV producers to do all the searches for us. In this way we easily accept a bias view.

Ask yourself, HAS TV ANY EFFECT ON YOUR INTELLIGENCE?

Watching TV for long hours can shrink your creative and analytical thinking ability. Continuous and quick information, opinion, analysis and criticism for just about everything stops you using your critical thinking. In this way, we can be easily misinformed and manipulated.

Those watching too much television start relating themselves with what is shown on TV and the desire to live the lives of their favourite TV characters. This may lead to becoming hungry for power, money, and status.

IS THERE ANY HEALTH RISK RELATED TO TV?

Watching television means inactivity, and # inactivity has been linked to obesity and heart disease. A study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health # indicates that watching too much television can significantly increase the risk of developing obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Kids often snack on junk food while watching TV. They are also influenced by commercials to consume unhealthy food.

Watching too much TV is also harmful to eyesight.

WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL EFFECTS?

A child watching non-educational TV for 3-4 hours daily # will have seen about 8,000 murders on screen by the time he reaches the age of 16. Violent TV programs encourage antisocial behaviour in children and may lead them to behave rudely. They believe in violence to resolve conflict, just like their favourite hero does to a bad guy.

TV teaches us, "To Be Passive Copycats". An actor may be shown smoking or drinking. Children will imitate them thinking it to be cool.

DO WE WASTE TIME?

Life is short, but # we have opted to substitute real living with TV living. We do not live our life to the fullest, going out to meet people, socialising and having fun. We have decided to confine ourselves within four walls and be all alone so we can watch adventure movies, reality shows, and soap operas with full attention.

IN CONCLUSION

Television certainly has much to offer, and without a doubt is a great innovation, but it can affect people negatively when it comes to relying on it, whether to be informed or entertained.

TV steals time for activities that actually develop children, like interacting with other people and playing. A child learns a lot more efficiently from real interaction - with people and things.

Certainly, there are a few programs on TV that are educational and entertaining, but the majority are simply rubbish. Viewing TV can be good if it is done in moderation, and if the program being watched is selected wisely. Some TV shows can educate, inform and inspire.

In a typical 24 hours day, we spend 8 hours at either school or work and further 8 hours sleeping. 2 hours are used for meals and travelling. This leaves us with 6 hours to spare. If we spend 4 hours watching TV, we will have only 2 hours for other activities like # homework, personal hygiene, sports, socialising, communicating with family members, daily puja, Ghar Sabha, housework, shopping, and cooking.