Television Viewing Draft 1

Invention of television has attracted viewers of all ages, ranging from young to old (Leigh 2001). Estimation points out that more than ninety per cent of families in developed countries own at least one television set (Syarif 1999). According to American Time Use Survey (2003), the statistics has confirmed that average hours per day were spend largely by both women and men on watching television as compare to other leisure and sport activities. Many psychologists and parents are worried with this issue as televisions are available to children everytime at home. However, instead of emphasizing only on unhealthy and excessive viewing habits, televisions are grossly beneficial in many terms. Accordingly, I strongly believe that television viewing brings more goods than harms because it helps to enhance our thinking skill, develops enormous fields of information, as well as acts as entertainment to the viewers.


Firstly, television viewing helps to enhance the thinking skill of viewers. Discussion among families members in order to find the best possible way in solving different conflicts arise in the television programs, helps to boost the viewers’ critical thinking. Besides that, this is important basic skill needed in both social setting and at school (Syarif 1999). The critical thinking is further improved through a wide range of human problems ranging from globalisation to homelessness which are continuously present in various television programs (Leigh 2001). Overall, by watching various significance issues on television, the development of thinking skill is improved.


Secondly, various television programs provide a wide variety of information to its viewers, both young and old. Television acts as popular teaching tool to students. This is because, through viewing and listening process, students tend to understand and retain information better than reading mean. On top of that, through a unique and attractive technique in presenting various subjects, television, therefore assists better understanding to all range of learners. Besides that, pre-schoolers are encouraged to learn fundamental knowledge like numbers, alphabets, colours and vocabularies before schooling through the programs like ‘Play School’. Local as well as world’s latest breaking news are easily accessible through television (Leigh 2001). In addition, viewers can get themselves closer to the culture, world, and animal kingdom as well as complete the most complicated step in scientific equation in an entertaining and enjoying manner (Rutherford 2002). In short, television programs provide an additional dimension to learning.


Lastly, television is an exciting medium in entertaining their viewers. Watching television can definitely be a good way to get the body feels calmer after being overloaded by various tasks at work and at school. Due to increasing demands and expectations placed on them, young people are surrounded by enormous problems related to stress and frustration. By engross while watching television programs, young people are likely to forget for a while their problems. Besides minimizing the costs of overstressed, it helps viewers to refresh themselves as well as provide a better concentration on things. This is needed in order to achieve a more balanced view of problems. Briefly, television acts as an entertainment mean to the viewers after the hard day of daily tasks (Rutherford 2002).


As a conclusion, I strongly support that television viewing brings more goods than harms as it helps to improve the critical thinking, provides wealth information as well as entertains the viewers. Although, many people have criticized television can adversely affects the development of the thinking processes as well as the health of the children but all these only happen for those who excessively watching television. All in all, with moderation, I strongly believe that television viewing brings more goods than harms.