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Television 's Effect On Children

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Television a Tool for Education or a Harmful Obstacle
Television is it a tool for education or a distraction that is an obstacle? Television is often blamed for having a harmful effect on children. Is this true or is it a hoax, there has been repeated studies and theory’s on the effects of TV on children and adults.
Television was designed for entertainment and to relax and to inform the masses. Back in the 1900s TV was a rare item in a house hold but. According to the website Salon.com “Sociologist Robert Putnam in Bowling Alone (2000)” reported that in 1950, about 10 percent of American homes had television sets, but this has grown to more than 99 percent over the 50 years. Nearly every home in the United States has a TV set inside their home. Putnam also reported that the number of TVs in the average U.S. household had grown to 2.25 sets, with 66 percent of households having three or more sets; the TV set is turned on in the average U.S. home for seven hours a day; two-thirds of Americans’ regularly watch TV during dinner; and about 40 percent of Americans’ leisure time is spent on television.” Time that could be spent on more productive activities, especially when it applies to small children.
TV can harm the child however it has been used as an educational tool as well. The creation of one of the first educational programs was Sesame Street, with Elmo and his friends. This program entertained children and was equally educational giving important lessons about math,

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