IT IS undeniable that the young generation of today are highly exposed and are exceedingly dependent on media, both the television and the internet. Based on a research entitled “Television-Viewing Habits, Amount of Exposure, and Program Preferences of Children in Public and Private Schools in the Philippines” conducted by the National Council for Children’s Television and published in December 2015, “on the average, children watch television close to three hours per day during weekdays and six hours during weekends.”
Relatively, the research also shows that majority of the children said they access television to gather information (71.80 percent) and learn new things (65.70 percent). Others tune in to certain programs that they like (50.60 percent), and some watch the television to pass time (33 percent).
At the same time, the study also highlights that the two most common appliances/gadgets in every Filipino child’s home are the TV and mobile phones with 97 and 94 percent prevalence among the respondents, respectively. This data can be correlated with a 2006 McCannErickson report saying that while internet has given rise to other forms of technology and media forms, most teens still prefer traditional forms of media such as TV and radio.
With this significant information gathered through the research, the main concern lies on how the prevalence of TV and media consumption affect the holistic being of the Filipino children and youth. It is stated in the research that “the amount of exposure to television, including its violent and vulgar contents and its effects on behavior, such as meal patterns and physical activities, are areas in children’s television that need attention.”
This is why the need to look into the significant effects of the high prevalence of TV and media consumption among kids nowadays is something that parents must not take for granted. There are varied reasons why parents allow their children; some see it as a form of reward for their kids after finishing school works and assignment, while others have no choice but to let their kids watch TV shows for them to be able to accomplish their chores and other tasks. Whatever the reason is, it is important that parents or guardians ensure that the children are properly guided especially when encountering inappropriate content such as violence, sex, and others. As cited in “The Future of Filipino Children – Development Issues and Trends” by Rosario-Braid & Tuazon, “watching too much television is one of the reasons why young people nowadays fail to focus well or sustain their attention.”
Parents must not take the countless effects of too much exposure to television and media for granted. As part of the global efforts to address the wide prevalence of TV and media in children, the World Health Organization highly advises that “children and adolescents should spend no more than two hours a day watching television, computers, or video games” and that parents must also choose quality programming according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, while parents allow their kids to consume good quality shows and media content, the American Academy of Child and Adolescents Psychiatry still reminds them to encourage children to do other “more beneficial activities like reading, interacting with friends, and developing hobbies.”
At the same time, adults need to be more vigilant when watching shows with their children. It is expected that not a lot of parents would enjoy watching kids shows with their children, and it is more likely that children are able to watch what their parents are watching. The constant guidance and reminders are the most important things that a parent can give to his or her children upon seeing adult content.
Control and moderation are always the key to a healthy and balanced living. Television and online media were invented to entertain and amuse us especially when we are dead tired and stressed. They give us some comfort and relaxation. It is always good to remember that anything in excess is not good.