Alot of people seem to wonder this, especially lately. If Television is good for children because maybe they learn things from it, like things from the history channel or something, or bad because channels contain violent or adult rated shows. I'm really not sure, because it's sort of 50/50 for me lol.

How about you? =3 what're your opinions on this, if I might ask?

Television is in some ways good and in some other ways, bad. I think that graphic programs are somewhat good because they help to expose children to scary, weird or dirty events. Are our children expected to giggle and blush every time they see a nude human or gasp whenever they hear a vulgar word?

I don't watch tv anymore, so I don't know how it is right now, but I know that the media plays a big part in television, and that's how they attract people to their products or whatever, such as teenagers who are easily influenced.
So in that sense, I believe it's bad.

All things in moderation. It depends how it is used, how often it is used, and if it is interfering with a child being active or not.

TV, can be good or bad, depending on what you're watching and how old you are. Apparently some shows are sending the kids the wrong signal, because my little sister (age 7) just yesterday called me a whore and i'm like dude, where did you hear that from?? she's like "Tv, this white girl called this spanish girl a whore" i'm like oh god, somethings people just shouldn't watch. I mean theres plenty of good stuff on tv, its just what people want to watch isnt always good. it all has limits. but sure theres some funny ass shows out there, but most of them are just BS.

Educational and decent shows are out there, its just some people just chose not to watch them.

i personally don't watch tv, as much as i use too.

I'm not really sure where I stand in this debate. I'm nuteral.

The way I see it, television isn't something that's inherently good or bad. It's something that is, in today's society, just THERE. Whether it's a good influence or a bad influence depends on various factors - it's not nearly as big a deal in and of itself as many people take it for.

For instance, my mother grew up with pretty much unrestricted TV viewing...she turned out...horrible. Her mother was insane and her father wasn't there.

Similarly, I grew up watching whatever I wanted (which wasn't much), yet I'm a lot more stable and level-headed than she is. The difference is my dad. he was the one who, one way or another, ended up showing me the difference between what i saw on TV and what was real.

I know people who were restricted in what they watched as children...some of them turned out great, some of them turned out horrible.

And then there are people who weren't allowed to watch TV at all or only got to watch educational programs. Some turned out crazy and controlling...some turned out great. Hell...one person in this category ended up becoming my biggest hero.

Originally Posted by marisnsane2

Alot of people seem to wonder this, especially lately. If Television is good for children because maybe they learn things from it, like things from the history channel or something, or bad because channels contain violent or adult rated shows. I'm really not sure, because it's sort of 50/50 for me lol.

Yea, I agree its 50/50...

I think Television is bad, not because it has violent shows or adult themes, but because it discourages human interaction and teaches kids that they don't have to think for themselves. Why should they when the TV is always there with something to distract them?
The violence and adult theme argument I think is rubbish; if you don't want your kids watching it, then turn off the TV, or better yet, get rid of it. However, kids have survived for thousands of years and grown up quite well adjusted knowing about sex and death, our society has gone overboard in trying to 'protect' kids and is, I think, actually socially retarding them and not letting them become accustomed to life.

And how can a child truly learn anything when all they're learning is that a TV is what can teach them? All you're going to end up with, letting a child sit and watch TV to learn, is that whatever is on TV is probably true and that everything on TV is for learning.

I don't know...because if I gave the remote to my stepkids, they'd pick something crap like suite life of Zack and Cody or iCarly, which I think is just mind numbingly stupid. We have to pretty much force them to watch educational stuff.

TV is filled with a lot of inappropriate content for children, but they're just as likely to get it in different forms. In fact, I worry more about them seeing stuff on the internet while surfing than I do on TV. Saying this, their mother seems to think it's OK for a 6 and 9 year old to watch R rated movies. I think what's more important though is that a parent sit down and try to discuss some of the more complex things in life and sometimes watching something in a show or movie can open that up. I know we've had a few very interesting conversations with the 9 year old about Full Metal Alchemist, and the whole 'toying with life' theme going on there.

I dont watch tv much but If I do I'm big on the paranormal shows I like to watch a lot of scariest places on earth.

@Izumi - The thought of a nine-year old not only watching FMA, but taking it well and discussing the toying with life concept...just amazes me. Restores a little bit of my faith in humanity there. Most kids I know who are allowed to watch things like that are only in it for the blood and death and explosions. >.>;

I always knew it was possible for a kid that young to really get it...yet it's so rare to see...

Originally Posted by Shivvlan

I think Television is bad, not because it has violent shows or adult themes, but because it discourages human interaction and teaches kids that they don't have to think for themselves. Why should they when the TV is always there with something to distract them?
The violence and adult theme argument I think is rubbish; if you don't want your kids watching it, then turn off the TV, or better yet, get rid of it. However, kids have survived for thousands of years and grown up quite well adjusted knowing about sex and death, our society has gone overboard in trying to 'protect' kids and is, I think, actually socially retarding them and not letting them become accustomed to life.

And how can a child truly learn anything when all they're learning is that a TV is what can teach them? All you're going to end up with, letting a child sit and watch TV to learn, is that whatever is on TV is probably true and that everything on TV is for learning.

The computer is far worse for making a child less capable of being able to interact socially. No child is so naive as to believe that everything they hear on the TV is true, and if they are, it's probably because they're only a few years old and have yet to develop the common sense necessary to determine what is real and what is false. Whether it is presented to them from the TV, or from any other person.