There is no doubt that in the last century life has gone through a serious change in the domain of technology and information.
As a result, people’s lifestyle and ways of thinking have varied too. Consequently,
children, being the fresh elements of the society and the future of humanity, are highly effected by the new technologies and inventions. Indeed, among the most effective and influential elements of the technology is the television. The exposure of violent images on television results in the demonstration of aggressive behavior by children. Also, watching large amounts of television deteriorates one’s health in many ways. Furthermore, the obscenity and vulgarity shown by the
media conveys negative and anti- social messages which have adverse effects on both children and adults. First, the media negatively impacts people through constant exposure to violent images. Television violence has a long term impact on both adults and children; it increases their tendency to demonstrate violent and aggressive behavior. Additionally, media tends to convey wrong ideas and messages at times. For instance, it represents heinous crimes like murder as just the acts. Television also makes the public perceive a revengeful murder as a heroic act. This anti-social message indicates the increasing chances of irrational and impulsive behavior of individuals in sensitive and emotional situations. Moreover, studies indicate that individuals who watch television regularly for an enormous amounts of time, gradually become desensitized. As a result, they no longer see crimes as destructive and negative acts. Indeed, they are no longer bothered while watching violence, be it on the screen or in real life. In fact, in some cases they enjoy seeing others being tortured and abused instead of empathizing them. This issue is a serious issue since sensitivity is a highly significant aspect of a human nature. The negative impact on one’s health is another detriment to watching large amount of television. A normal Canadian family has it television set on for approximately 4-5 hours everyday. This behavior not only weakens the vision, but also results in having no time left for physical and outdoor activities. As a result, their chances of being prey to obesity increases. Another indirect and adverse impact of television is the fact that young girls get influenced by the beautiful bodies of the models and actresses they see, consequently, women go on crash diets and practice unhealthy eating habits in order to achieve the unattainable beauty standards they desire. Furthermore, when they fail in their attempts of losing weight, they run into depression which effects their health, career and also family life. Therefore watching television can prove hazardous to health. Finally, another ill-effect of television is that the media potrays women as mere sex objects whose job is to gratify men’s sexual urges. As a result, young girls and boys perceive relationships as mere physical involvement. Young girls seem lost between their morals and their partner’s demands, since men too, expect their partners to act out what the women they watch on television do. Reality and fantasy becomes extremely blurred for these type of people. Moreover, pornographic movies aired in late night shows have many ill effects on the young generation. For instance, they can be highly addictive if watched frequently, also, once they are addicted, nothing can stand in their way of getting what they want, whether it is sex with a prostitute or molesting a child or someone vulnerable, regardless of the cost of its consequences. This fact again is highly likely to increase the number of crimes in the society. Finally, a frequent side effect is that it dramatically reduces their capacity to love. Their sexual desires, in a way, become dehumanized. They develop a dark side to themselves, whose core is anti-social and devoid of most values. Thus the obscene and vulgar images in the media influence the society in a highly negative way. In conclusion, the media is often harmful and feeds the human mind with manipulative and destructive ideas. Additionally, it exposes violence which makes individuals demonstrate aggressive behavior. Frequent television watching also deteriorates one’s health. Furthermore, the obscenity shown in the media reduces woman’s role as mere sex objects. Therefore, the media should reconsider the choice of programs it airs and should increase the ‘reality television programs’ and demonstrate caring helping programs that show co-operation from which individuals can learn being more considerate and kind.