Examines the effects of television watching on children. Gives statistics for the amount of television watched by American children. Relates television watching to societal ills such as youth crime rates and teen pregnancies.
Compares the television show Gilmore Girls with sitcoms from the 1950s. Explores differing male and female roles and moral values. Describes how sitcoms from both eras influence individuals.
Provides the details of a real life hostage crisis in Jacksonville, Florida. Analyzes the role that television played in the successful conclusion of the crisis.
In "Television Addiction Is No Mere Metaphor, "a study by Robert Kubey and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyl, the authors' thesis is the television can have addictive qualities, just like drugs and activities like sex and gambling. Also, this essay defines "addiction."
Examines the positive impact of television on children's development. Describes how television can have a major influence in shaping the attitudes, values, and behaviors of children. Advocates using television as a positive motivator.
Children should not be permitted to watch television as much as they do. The depiction of violence on television causes children to act violently; television shows promote high-risk behavior, such as drinking alcohol; and television watching adversely affects a child's physical and mental health.
In emphasizing the negative effects of television on children, we fail to acknowledge television's positive effects. Television serves to communicate general knowledge as well as information on current events, social issues, and world affairs, it helps children to improve their language skills, and it enables children to develop various interests. If utilized and supervised appropriately, television will always provide more positive effects than negative ones for children.
Teen programs such as Dawson's Creek and Beverly Hills 90210 insist on reflecting their shows on adolescent life but are unsuccessful. The shows create unrealistic storylines and scenes which are far from the everyday life of teens.
