What is television: Television is an electronic device that is used to transmit audio-visual messages. It is a channel of Mass communication. Through the help of an electro-magnetic wave, messages are disseminated to the mass audience simultaneously. That is, the messages or information disseminated are passed down to millions of heterogeneous (vast) audiences at the same time.
Television message has a great advantage over other media of communication like Radio and newspapers or books. Newspapers and books appeal to the sense of sight only while Television messages appeal to the sense of sight and hearing. Television belongs to the category of broadcasting media.
Television has helped mankind in various ways like reaching a vast audience both in rural and urban at the same time. It is a teaching aid. The use of motion pictures and audio helps the views to understand its message better. This is because what is said is shown and demonstrated. However, Television is doing more harm than good to our youths in the following ways:
Usages: Television is used to disseminate informative, educative, and entertainment messages. But our youths have turned the television to become an entertainment medium only. Entertainment movies and games have taken over the spaces for other educative programs. They do not show interest in the news or commentaries. They go away or avoid the station at that time and tune in to other stations that are airing movies. In many homes, Televisions are being used for game purposes. Day and night, the youths are glued to the television playing violent or entertainment video games.
The Place of Study: It is no longer a new trend in the manner in which our youths prefer watching Television to the detriment of their studies. They wile away their time meant for reading and doing assignments on the Television screen. Many youths used to watch the Television into the late hour of the night and end up going to school late.
Lack of Concentration: Television has ways of distracting the youths. The madness for Zee-world, Telemundo, Soap opera, and African magic has gone beyond control. Sports channels have not done better either. It has done more harm than good. It has led our youths into betting games. Some are ready to miss school days for a champion’s league. No wonder many parents place embargos on the Television during the weekdays and allow it for their children to watch only on Saturdays and Sundays with restrictions to some channels.
Immorality on Increase: The Big Brother Naija and The Big Brother Africa television program is doing more harm to the youths. The program allows the participants to dress indecently, discuss and practice sexual intercourse openly, and was launched a few years ago. It has quenched many virtues in the lives of the youths and awakens the desire for sex and quick riches.
Health Implication: The eyes clinics are recording a great number of youths with serious eye disease. Constant fixing of the eyes on the Television screen causes damages to the retina. If the youth have blur vision at a youthful age, what will the future hold?
Conclusion: Television has its own advantages like I earlier mentioned but the disadvantages have outweighed its advantages. Looking at the listed points, we can boldly say that television is doing more harm than good to our youths.
Enjoyed reading essays and paragraphs about television. These will be really useful for students and examinees. Thanks.