How to Help Kids Get Rid of the Television Addiction?

In the present century, technology holds vital importance in our lives. With the current generation of technology rapidly advancing, we have become used to using the complex form of machinery that aids us in our daily lives. Our reliance on technology today is both overwhelming and astonishing. However what we often tend to forget is that technology is not just beneficial in all cases but rather has some severe side effects as well, especially for the younger generation. One such device which the technology has given to the mankind is the television, which has, in fact, become one of the most widely adopted forms of news and entertainment in our society.

Breaking the TV addiction

Technology if appropriately utilized can be hugely beneficial. However, the present generation lacks the direction to balance between technology and the physical world.  We at the JP International School, recognized as the best school in Greater Noida, feel that teaching our children about the importance of using the technology in the right way is of utmost need today. Kids are generally not aware of how our over dependence on any forms of technology, be it television or any other, can turn out to be harmful for us. That’s why it is important that we, the adults, educate them about the consequences of overindulging in TV. It is our responsibility that we encourage them to change degenerative behavioral patterns like constant watching of television and instead engage in constructive activities.

We, as a premier institute, with the help of the years of experience gathered in the field, have chalked out a few strategies that the parents can use to help their children move away from the harmful effects of television:

• Self-Reformation: If there is a child in the household who is downright addicted to watching the television, it is entirely possible that he/she picked it up from someone in the family. Research has shown that an average working parent spends more than four hours with the television. To truly reform the child, it is essential for the parents to take the initiative and keep tabs on those who spend time in front of the television including themselves. Parents can start by allotting more time with the family and slowly reduce the time they spend watching the television. This is beneficial in contributing towards both the family bond and overcoming the bad habit of TV addiction in their child. With proper examples, parents can deal with such problems effectively.

• Provide Interesting Alternates: Getting over any materialistic addiction is hard, and nothing holds more valid than that of the television. It not only harms the eyes but also promotes dullness and inactivity in children. The best way to deal with such a situation is to provide alternatives such as interactive games that involve family participation, quizzes, puzzles, and other such activities.

• Engage Kids in Outdoor Activities: In the present generation, we have seen a drastic change from an affinity for outdoor sports to addiction for television and such similar devices. Such a habit takes away the benefits of a healthy physical sport and replaces it with laziness. Therefore, it is imperative that the parents take an immediate step towards mitigation of such behavior and encourage their children to rediscover the thrill of games such as soccer, cricket, hockey, volleyball, basketball, etc. The positive effects that such sports have on the mind and body provide the perfect alternative for the parents to solve the TV addiction of their child. Engaging the child in sports clubs also helps in their social participation and eliminates the reclusive behavior.

• Arts, Crafts, and other forms of Creative Activities: The advantages of creative activities such as painting, dancing, music lessons, and other such activities are twofold. Besides helping the kids to get rid of their technological addictions, such creative activities also play a vital role in developing the imagination power and inventiveness in kids. It also improves their cognitive abilities and helps them to perform better in the sphere of education as well.

The television was mainly meant to be for viewing sports events, global and local news, and other forms of entertainment sparingly to stay informed but has since then been widely misused. This has resulted in some serious consequences among the younger generation. Physical sports are no longer a priority, and the idea of entertainment for children is gradually turning towards using virtual technology. Due to such reasons, the television has also been popularly called the junk box by many.

We, at JPIS, believe that if used correctly, the television can be a great source of information, entertainment, and quality family time. But if misused, it can have serious physical, psychological, and other health impacts. The key lies in helping the children identify the fine line between the use and misuse of the luxury offered by the television. While putting a sudden no-no on television for the kids is not a feasible solution, helping them choose the programs that are appropriate for them and restricting the TV time to some specific hours are the best ways out. After all, as quoted by Christian Lous Lange, “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” It would be wise if we let the technology remain a boon for us and not let it emerge into a bane.

- JP International School