ROVING EYE: Often times, the TV becomes a ‘little god’ on an ‘altar’

I watch a reasonable amount of television and certainly watched a lot during the World Cup.
I do not want to overstate the disadvantages of television since viewing it in moderation can be positive. For example, it can be educational and also a relaxant after a busy day at the office. But you also need to ask yourself how much of the following you have seen:
* The TV stays on even when a guest arrives. How is interaction with the guest affected?
* The TV is put on when nobody has any idea whether a good programme is on that evening.
* The TV stays on when nobody is watching it, sometimes even when the room is empty!
* Mealtimes are disrupted, with some members of the family preferring to eat not at the table but in front of the TV.

Discussions about the personal events of the day, what tomorrow holds etc are reduced.
* TV and homework can get into competition with each other.
* Too much TV reduces newspaper and book reading with its implications for literacy skills.

At its very worst, to use a religious analogy, TV becomes the “little god” on its “altar” in the corner of the living room, “worshipped” by people passively seated on “pews” in front of it. It can begin to take over and dominate family and the household.

* use the term “passively” quite deliberately. Although there are some “phone-in” and “text-in” programmes, watching TV is fundamentally passive, not active. Even watching the World Cup, or the Premier League, cannot be compared with actually playing football and learning the skills and tactics involved. I do accept that watching and playing sport is not an “either-or” situation. One can do both.

Also, watching a sport on TV will encourage some people to take that sport up. But my hunch is (based on no scientific evidence whatsoever!) that if this was a football score, it would be Watching 2 Playing 1 i.e. TV results in less actual participation in sport.

In conclusion, let me emphasise that I recognise TV’s many advantages and benefits. The tough challenge is to get the balance right between viewing and non-viewing activities.