Comments on: TV is Bad. “Children’s” TV May Be Worse.

By: Carlen

Carlen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:03:45 +0000

Am I the only one who thinks that the Disney Channel causes kids to have bad self esteem? I’m looking for articles and discussions about it, but I can’t find anything about self esteem specifically. I’m 20 years old so I am still in the moldable stage in life, but I am smart enough to know when I am being molded. My family recently got a 6-moth free trial on Dish Network of channels like Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, the Travel Channel, etc, and the channel I enjoy watching the most is the Disney Channel. But ever since I got into the habit of watching it I felt my self esteem plummet. And I realized it was because 1) all the stars on the Disney Channel are perfect looking: they have perfect hair, perfect clothes, they are all thin, etc. 2) All the shows are about people who are special either because they are rock stars (“Hannah Montana” and “Jonas”), TV stars (“Sonny With A Chance”), have magic powers “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “That’s So Raven”), or they just stand out in some way. The movies are the same way (High School Musical, Camp Rock, etc.) The only shows I can remember that are about normal people are Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire and those shows are long since canceled. So if I, a 20-year-old adult, am watching this thinking I’m no pretty enough or talented enough, what is it doing to kids and teenagers, especially girls, who are really sensitive about how they feel about themselves? Disney Channel is basically teaching kids that they won’t be accepted unless they are good-looking and famous. That’s the last thing a kid-targeted TV network should be teaching.

By: Yalda

Yalda — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:18:56 +0000

Check out UCLA’s site on Children and Media for current research. We are currently asking people to take a simple survey to bein our latest round of research.
Children’s Digital Media Center, Los Angeles If you would like to help by taking this simple survey about television shows throughout the last fifty years, no prior knowledge of television needed, please click here: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/153199/television-and-its-meanings-b
OR (PLEASE CLICK ON ONLY ONE LINK)
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/149979/television-and-its-meanings

By: Teresa

Teresa — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:08:27 +0000

I just googled children’s television blog and found your post. I’m in the business of making kids tv. A colleague and friend who had interest in doing a show, approached me to see if we could do something that would “inspire creativity and imagination”. We both wanted to get the kids to turn off the TV after viewing and go play, hang with friends and family in a creative way and make healthy choices. We are a local show in Michigan (currently), but hope to make a national impact someday. Check out our website and share your feedback. comeonover.com If this feels like a blatant plug, then pull the website and just share the message that there are folks out there trying to make a difference in the children’s television landscape. Thanks!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 05:47:10 +0000

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.

By: kat

kat — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 22:39:16 +0000

We have been TV free for 10 years and have never regretted it. We have 5 children who play together, are creative and artistic, and don’t ask for the latest game, toy, or clothing brand, because they don’t know it even exists. THey are innocent in the realm of sexuality and are great kids.
The other night a telemarketer called trying to sell satellite service, when I told him, “we don’t have a television set,” he started stuttering! “How can you not have a TV, what do you do?” I replied, “We read a lot.” He just couldn’t believe it, after all what else is there to do in life but vegetate in front of a screen?

By: Wry Mouth

Wry Mouth — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:57:29 +0000

It is a pity how many think the Disney Channel harmless. Ditto “Radio Disney,” which is far worse. I am pretty sure Disney has no charter statement about nurturing positive child development; if they do, they are guilty of whole-heartedly ignoring it in favor of the pursuit of profit.

I don’t begrudge them the profit thing. But I don’t watch much of their stuff, and I guard my children (especially the 5-year-old) from watching it. It’s “harmless normalcy” is more harmful, in its way, than 10 episodes of Spongebob Squarepants run back-to-back.

At university, I spent 9 years sans television. I don’t think of it as classically “evil,” but it *is,* in my opinion, evil in this sense: it paralyzes the creative faculties, for the most part, unless one is studying how to produce video oneself (which I am not). Just as reading gives one ideas for one’s own writing, or (in my case) listening to music gives one ideas for one’s own music.

This is my first visit here, off my beaten path, via “Gates of Vienna” blog. But I have some interest in education (a math teacher at middle and high school and college levels) and home schooling (my two best friends from college, though th ehusband is an English teacher, home school their two very extraordinary kids).

Thank you for the stimulating post. I am gratified that although television is off your “needs” list, that the internet blog is still on it!

By: Sheri

Sheri — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:28:17 +0000

I agree 100% with your opinions of TV.

We have been TV free since April and wouldn’t have it any other way. Since we have “unplugged” we are much more inclined to naturally gravitate towards “family time”. We find ourselves playing games, sitting on the front porch talking, building a club house, digging a goldfish pond, etc….

By: Grafted Branch@Restoring the Years

Grafted Branch@Restoring the Years — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:58:52 +0000

Oh yes. Today’s t.v. for adolescents is just plain bad. My little ones watch Zaboomafoo with the occasional staged prat fall (Dick van Dyke style), but never anything with attitude, disrespect, disregard for others, or a half-dozen other behaviors that put children on the swift road to ruin.

My 12 year old enjoys the occasional Little House on the Prarie (but even that is viewed with discernment). We love Andy Griffith around here, but I have my reservations about I Love Lucy…funny, but so dishonoring in the husband-wife relationship (lying, envy, deceit, plotting, contention).

Satan is still crafty. May we all beware.

Nice to meet you…I can’t remember how I got here.

By: Sherry

Sherry — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:28:43 +0000

I had noticed the same things about the Disney shows. These shows push boy-girl relationships like crazy. When do kids get to be kids? But I’ve met 1st graders concerned with getting a boyfriend. So sad. And I have to agree with the rest of what you said, as well. Just like food manufacturers (I use that word on purpose), toy manufactures, & big pharma are not our friends, neither are the TV content producers.

By: DHM

DHM — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:54:43 +0000

We don’t have television, either, but my mother does. I’ve decided that TVG programming is actually often worse (by my standards) than programming the powers that be determine is more ‘mature’ in content.

I also agree with removing ungodly external influences. That said, I would caution you that there is still a heart to deal with- certain television programming does effect a couple of my kids negatively, but others are able to control themselves and ignore it- in fact, don’t even find it appealing. When watching a television show draws out bad behavior in a child, I think it’s usually because of an underlying heart issue specific to that child. Removing the electronics is an important first step, but it’s important to address the underlying heart issues that made that behavior a temptation and that programming appealing in the first place- and that takes longer.