Op-Ed: Television is healing the youth
By Aaron Fair
Photo of Jake the Dog taken from Movies & TV Stack Exchange
It is no question that technology has become an overwhelmingly common part of our lives. With almost all forms of entertainment—whether that be books, movies or the occasional doom scroll—being on some form of blue-light emitting device, the question arises: how does this affect future generations?
Technology has been proven to hinder sleep, force individuals into isolation, lead to weight issues and spend less time learning. However, with proper use and regulation of technology it can be a beneficial tool for learning and creativity.
“It’s that social relationship that is so crucial,” says the Child Mind Institute.
Technology, specifically television, can provide an outlet for family and friends to grow their bond.
“Dr. Rouse has actually prescribed the “active viewing” of baseball games as a way of creating a closer connection within one of the families that he works with” the Child Mind Institute relays.
Additionally, television can be used to teach children about emotional regulation alongside traditional academic values.
For example, shows like “Adventure Time” or “Bluey” generally follow a plot line of a character being presented with a problem and using critical thinking to find a solution.
For “Adventure Time,” main characters Finn and Jake are forced to face their fears in order to protect their closest friends, teaching the viewer lessons of bravery, sacrifice and empathy.
In “Bluey,” the characters are presented with issues they must think critically about and find solutions to, in most cases, repair and develop relationships.
Both shows present cases where the characters are forced to grow as people and learn how to build relationships.
When children see these situations and are under proper supervision of a parent to nurture the lesson of the story, children will have the opportunity to take in the lesson and be educated.
This is not to say the constant use of technology is good. There are many consequences of over using technology, as a result it is extremely important to establish a limit of usage.
If technology is used too much, a lifestyle of uncertainty will be established and the educational value of technology will be lost.
There are many pros and cons to technology usage, as a result, it is very important to establish a healthy relationship with the time spent using devices. The ways in which it is used and the amount of time spent on a device can have lasting effects on the development and personality of an individual. So, it is up to parents and guardians to teach the future generation how to use technology as a tool and not as an escape from reality.