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Since the 1950s, television has become increasingly more popular in the typical American home and has greatly impacted each individual in society. Although some may argue positive effects of television on children today, it has actually negatively influenced the lives of many by swaying political views through negative ads, increasing laziness, and decreasing patience by providing instant gratification.

Rather than hearing the opinions of a political leader directly from the source, the youth of this generation are bombarded by political ads shown through television. Negative ads constantly flood any open airway and target viewers who, in many instances, are adolescents, to abandon their current party. Many children do not yet have political views of their own, but those who are raised viewing these ads will be brought to consider all politicians to be evil, and will vote only according to who has better promos.
Television does, in fact, support several educational programs. The Biography and History channels, as well as programs such as Sesame Street, provide hours of educational material for children. Unfortunately, most children would rather watch power rangers and the six hours of other shows that follow on the Cartoon Network. With Television becoming constantly more popular, children are also becoming lazier than in the past. Instead of adventuring outdoors with their friends, they opt to watch T.V. shows about other kids. Hours are spent glued to the T.V. in an overwhelming state of lethargy.
Swayed political ideals and laziness are not the only negative side effects of T.V. Due to the wide variety of entertainment produced, children have become accustomed to always receiving instant gratification, and boredom in on longer a threat. This gratification, however, is not a positive side effect of television. Because children have the media to entertain themselves with at any time, family activities seem boring and dull. " Now that family member have separate televisions, watching T.V. is no longer a communal experience, but rather an isolated, nonsocial encounter" (Stroll 276). Even simple tasks such as waiting in line at the grocery store are no longer just a nuisance, but can cause temper tantrums for children who are not used to waiting.
Television, whether popular or not, has provided negative consequences on children of today. Yes, many of them will eventually grow into respectable adults with careers and families, but for now, T.V. junkies flood America with laziness, impatience, and false political knowledge.

Learn more about this author, Lindsey Baker.
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