Television has been around for over a half-century. Children devote most of their free time watching television and continuous contact is thought to influence the way they understand and interpret both television and the world in which they live. Thus, I still concern about the impact of television on children began when TV was in its infancy.
             I think children's programming, like violence, gender stereotypes, etc. should be limited. With much of today's television programming having violent themes and violent nature, including and especially children's programming, the effects on children are well documented and frightening. Violent scenes are especially harmful to children under the age of eight because they have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality. When young children watch TV, particularly cartoons, which usually do not portray real-life consequences for violent actions, they learn that violence is "desirable, necessary, and painless." Consequently, there are four possible effects of viewing TV violence: first, children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, second, they come to accept violence as a means to solving problems, third, they may be more fearful of the world around them, perceiving the world as a mean and dangerous place, and fourth, they may be more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others. Although I believed that children can learn aggressive behavior from television.
             TV advertising is one of the most powerful instruments in effecting both children's behavior. Children younger than 6 or even 8 years of age do not understand that the purpose of advertising is to sell a product. Also, children have trouble distinguishing between ads and programs. Advertising can cause children to "want" toys or foods that they do not need and that their families cannot afford. And I think we should limit more ads during children's TV programming.
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