How much TV is too much?
By Juan Villanueva | Big Stick Editor |
Since the rise of its popularity in the 1950s, not only adults but so have teenagers grown into watching their favorite shows on television.
Those teens who do watch television likely watch too much of it.
Teen Health and the Media reports that the average American teenager spends at least 20 hours watching television per week, with low income homes having higher viewership.
A 1950s television set is displayed. This was a time when TV began to grow common in every household.
While this amount may not seem like a lot, if looked at in other terms, watching TV can be harmful. Often teenagers get distracted and forget to do things such as their chores, hobbies, homework or even go to their jobs.
Furthermore, less movement and sitting on a bed or couch can result in weight increase, or even obesity.
Parents should remember that by simply replacing one hour of that time teens spend watching TV, could make a big difference in their children’s health, as suggested by kidshealth.org.
Nonetheless, TV has and will continue to be a form of mass media communication that will affect many choices young adults make. What five decades ago was used to influence public opinion is still used today, but much stronger.
In the 21st century, when a teenager will turn on his or her television even after their parent has told them not to, it is always best to simply set limits to the things that influence teens the most. And this will not only make them healthier, and smarter, but will also keep teens from following the tradition of watching too much TV.
Photo credit: Michael Vance via Flickr.com / CC BY-NC-SA