Abstract
This essay will explore the good and the bad effects of television on children. Various sources will be relied on. There have been two diverse arguments on this particular subject. One divide of the scholars have brought forth an argument that children need to watch television because television serves educative purpose (Dowd, 2006). The other divide has been of the opinion that children must not watch television up to some certain age. The demerits of children watching television is that the programs aired instigate violence and promote unethical behavior among the children. This short essay will be an insightful submission on the actual good and bad effects of TV on children

Good Effects
Some TV programs, when exposed to children can be educative and inspirational. Some subjects are better understood if taught through programs. For example a child will better understand how a plant grows or the procedure to prepare certain meals (Dowd, 2006).

It has also been surveyed that children who watch educational programs perform better in mathematics tests and reading exercises than their counterparts. It has also been argued that when children are exposed to informative and educational programs, the same children adopt that culture and will tend to watch the same programs when they become adults (Liebert & Sprafkin, 1988). This category of children tends to value their education more when they reach higher grades. Their grades are better compared to those that were denied this opportunity.

TV watching has also been said to provide relief to children who are stressed or under pain of some certain conditions. This is good for their development. Another merit is that some TV programs expose children to teaching them some past cultures that they may not be taught in schools (Schramm, 2001).

Bad Effects
On the other hand, it has been argued that TV has no educational value to children, especially those under the age of two. Children require time to undertake other physical activities that promote their growth and development. TV is not one of them. TV denies a child the time that that child would actually be playing with others. It has been said that children learn more efficiently when they interact with others in the playing fields (Schramm, 1961). TV may also take away time that a child requires to develop skills such as language, motor and creativity. A child’s brain development and cognitive domain develops efficiently through conversations rather than passive watching of moving pictures on TV.

TV watching therefore prevents a child from being challenged and from exercising initiatives that would be good for his/her growth generally.

Some programs aired on TVs involve violent behavior and character. When a child engages in watching such programs, then the child may develop violent behavior against his her peers later in life. This is because a child is not mature enough to differentiate between what is real and what is meant for entertainment (Singer, 2001).

Other programs aired tend to promote negative moral turpitudes. Such programs meant for the adults are sexually related may promote early sexual activities among the children. Surveys conducted reveal that children that are exposed to such adult content start engaging in sexual activities earlier than usual. This always has negative impact on children (Withey, 1980).

Conclusion
From the afore-submissions then, TV possesses good and bad effects on children. Children under the age of two must not be exposed to TV watching. The period under the age of two is a development and growth session. Parents should control the content which their children are exposed to. Educative programs that are targeted to children should be controlled also. Children require time to engage in their own intellectual initiatives and to interact with others in the global holistic learning exercise (Unnikrishnan, & Bajpai, 1996).