Nowadays many people all over the world spent most of their
free time watching television; but since its appearance, television has brought
to man many advantages as well as disadvantages.
First, television plays an important role in our daily
activities: it keeps us informed of all current affairs in the world. Events
through television are more vivid than those through books and magazines.
Second, television helps us enrich our spiritual lives. Our
knowledge is broadened in many ways. Through language teaching programs, we can
learn the language we like such as: English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese
and so on. We can become skilful and clever at doing jobs, making cakes or
arranging flowers through practical courses taught on television.
Finally, television is a source of recreation. Humorous
stories and funny films bring us minutes of relaxation after a hard day’s work.
For me, sitting comfortably in an arm-chair to watch an international football
match on television is more interesting than having to queue for tickets at a
crowded stadium.
Apart from its advantages, however, television also brings
lots of disadvantages to viewers too.
First, television viewers gradually become passive in their
action. Television may be a splendid media of communication, but it prevents us
from communicating with each other or with the outer world. The world seen
through television is only the restricted one: It separates us from the real
world.
Second, television, with its fascinating power, makes people
of all ages sink into oblivion: whole generations are growing up addicted to
the telly. Pupils and students are so absorbed in television that they neglect
their school activities. Food is left uneaten, homework undone and lessons
unprepared. Housewives are so keen on watching television that they neglect
their duties toward their husbands and their children. Instead of watching
television, we may use the time for a realfamily hour. Without the distraction
of television, we may sit around together after dinner and actually talk to one
another to know and like each other better.
Finally, the evil influence of television on the young
generation is inevitable; it encourages them to commit crimes. Spectacles of
sadism and violence on television lead them to robbery, theft, rape and murder.
In a nutshell, television is useful to us when we know how
to use it: Be careful not to overindulge ourselves in it and use it in a
discerning manner.
