“It is proven that the more someone is exposed to something, the more they become accustomed to it, and in most cases they start to take it as their own experience..” (http://EzineArticles.com/5872173) Television has been proven to have both negative and positive affects on teenagers. The most common negative consequences, of too much television viewing, are weight gain from lack of exercise and repeated exposure to violent and risky behavior. The positive impact would be the tremendous access to information teens would have from every venue. But, it appears that television has a more detrimental effect on teenagers from lower income families.
First, higher income families would tend to have better schooling options. The poor are committed to broken facilities and a sub-par education, making it impossible for good teachers to have an impact on or to discuss what teens are learning from television. This blog topic is a perfect example of the thought-provoking questions and discussions teens may have about the subtleties of television programming.
Secondly, the poor, with fewer educational opportunities, would be less able to discern the bias that television can present. The Fox Television Network is an example of broadcast programming that is opinion-oriented, but clothed as fact. This is intentional and certainly projected toward those that would not be able to discern this distinction. Teen Mom on MTV also glorifies a lifestyle that can have devastating consequences for teens, especially for girls with limited resources.
Finally, and generally, higher income families would have more opportunities to spend time with their teens. With better educations, these families would be able to provide alternatives to television, oversee the programming, and have the time to firmly ground the impact of television on their teen’s lives. Lower income families would be more likely to have disrupted homes with parents working many hours. Television would serve as baby-sitter, and the only choice of entertainment. Poorer families would be less likely to be able to afford, or even have access to, cable channels that provide positive learning programs, like those offered on National Geographic Channel.
Television viewing affects teenagers that are exposed to its programming in all households. Many articles present these facts, but present them as if it is an incurable disease. One easy step to reduce television viewing is to simply limit the amount of televisions in a house. Having one television, in the open family area of a household, helps parents oversee the programming choices of teenagers and provide opportunities for discussion.
