For many years now, television has been a part of every household not only in America but all over the world. Some consider television as the thing that binds a family because watching TV is a time for everyone to gather around after a day’s work and school. Weekends are spent watching and snacking while watching. It has become a routine. The way a family member thinks, his values, attitude towards his surroundings, and how he deals with people signifies a great deal and how they are inside their homes. The effect of watching too much TV and not talk anymore with folks and avoid emotional interaction would indicate how the youth would shape the future.
CyberCollege/Internet Campus (2007) cites that television weakens the tastes of the society for the arts. They are stooping down to a lower-level form of art. Before people would go to theaters and exhibits to appreciate art, they were more sophisticated back then. In connection with this, television also weakens moral standards. It makes casual sex and drugs look “cool” for young people. Crooks and thieves are portrayed by “heroes” that they end up getting the loot happily ever after. People of all ages are urged to be escapists the moment they fix their eyes on TV. It is a bit scary because there is some kind of hypnotism or drug that comes along with it. Like alcohol that relaxes and soothes pain and trouble brought by the day’s harsh reality. Consumers are also easy prey on the lure of television advertisements. Viewers become impulsive when they see a very appealing commercial and will not hesitate to buy a particular product. They lose their sense of practicality and spend money on something just because it looks good on TV. With regards to the issue that television ‘exhibits a liberal bias ‘, Conservatives blame the media for the social change. Television opened its doors to “taboos” like homosexuality, civil rights abuses, women’s rights, anti-war advocacies, and the legalization of marijuana, etc. There are sensitive issues regarding the statement that television sets up false images of reality. Some shows depict criminals or the bad guys as “colored”. It sets standards or stereotypes which could be demeaning to colored people in America like Asians, Blacks, Italians, Mexicans, etc. It somewhat generalizes people according to their color, physical appearance, and way of life. On the other hand, television also distorts reality thru emission, in the opinion of critics. It edits out other matters when they should be heard or seen. Viewers should have the right to know the facts concerning things about their everyday lives. Some are at a loss as to what the truth is and end up looking stupid. It only strengthens the truth that television makes people dumb.
Then there is a bigger issue: violence. It should be taken note that violence on TV causes harm to an individual and society. Violence on TV has an effect on the state of mind of a person. There are observations that a person that watches too many killings on TV tends to become paranoid and be distrustful of people around him and worse feels unsafe all the time.
We lost our sensibilities and became dictated by this invention that has taken up all the right values and individuality. It made us look ignorant and dense. People end up paranoids and feel incomplete and empty inside. Depression steps in because of emotional imbalance. We ignore how important it is to interact with other people and to get a life.
References
CyberCollege/Internet Campus (2007) The Social Impact of Television. Web.