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Once an important means of communicating something of value and worth sharing, television today is nothing more than a mass media brainwashing tool.

There has always been debate over whether children should be raised without the pleasure of the dreaded television set. As far as I'm concerned TV free works for me!

At times likened to the root of all evil, some claim television has been the demise of modern society. With it's violent portrayals, rude behavior and disregard for societal norms the small screen seems to be creating a world without a grasp on reality.

Since the big square box invaded into our lounge rooms, lives have forever been changed. Not necessarily for the better either. Entertainment is no longer listening to jokes, instead it has been replaced the likes of Big Brother. How could such an influence be of any benefit to children? Surely it should come with the warning this is what not to aspire to in life?

While there are claims that television watching can have educational benefits and at times serve a useful purpose. There is certainly no harm in at least strongly restricting your child's viewing, if not disbanding with the lounge room babysitter altogether.

Initially the television was a ground breaking invention. The way it reduced the size of the world and extended the world to people at the same time is commendable. The way it has sucked the life out of today's youngsters is disgraceful.

Where once the opportunity to see the other side of the world in the comfort of your lounge room was almost a privilege, it is now taken for granted and slowly draining children any innocence or imagination.

Before television, children had no choice but to play, be it inside/outside it didn't matter, they just played and had fun. They interacted with others, they were active and had active imaginations. They had time to think and explore thoughts both of their own and others. They would spend time reading and learning, developing friendships and experiences to last a lifetime.

What do they do now?

Now children sit zoned to the magnetic box. They are bombarded with violence and profanity, and unrealistic portrayals of life. All of this is combined with brainwashing commercials produced by multi million dollar corporations that are only interested in the quick buck.

A life without television enables children to experience a wider world. It allows the parents to have a tighter filter on what and when a child sees some of the violent images of the world. Images that don't always need to be seen by the young.

Children, especially young children are very impressionable and the images that are often seen on the dreaded box not meant for children. Some may wonder who they are actually for.
Between the television, the internet, computer games and DVD's the children of today are likely to never see the outside world. For some reason children are drawn to these electronic devices and without parent intervention the society of tomorrow may never exist.

Children need to be raised without a strong influence of television. They need to learn how to think independently, to be challenged, and physically active. None of which is achieved through sitting on the couch watching a brain numbing box.

Learn more about this author, Rhianna Suttie-Gunson.
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