Can TV influence childrens attitudes toward themselves and others?
What do I need to know about children and TV? Television (TV) has its good side. It can be entertaining and educational, and can open up new worlds for kids, giving them a chance to travel the globe, learn about different cultures, and gain exposure to ideas they may never encounter in their own community. Shows with a prosocial message can have a positive effect on kids’ behavior; programs with positive role models can influence viewers to make positive lifestyle changes. However, the reverse can also be true: Kids are likely to learn things from TV that parents don’t want them to learn. TV can affect kids’ health, behavior and family life in negative ways. It’s worthwhile for parents to think about what role they want TV to play in their family. Consider: • A great deal is known about children and television, because there have been thousands of studies on the subject. Researchers have studied how TV affects kids’ sleep, weight, grades, behavior, and more. It’s worth looking at what
