Some people believe that what children watch on television influences their behavior. Others say that the amount of time spent watching television influences their behavior. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
The impact of television on children’s behaviour has long been a public concern, with debate over whether programme content or viewing time is the key influencing factor. Both arguments hold weight, and I believe the two factors work together to shape children’s conduct.
Those who emphasise the role of viewing content argue that children are highly impressionable and tend to copy behaviours they see on screen. Children, especially those under 10, have not yet developed full ability to distinguish fiction from reality. For example, if they frequently watch violent scenes in cartoons where aggressive acts have no real negative consequences, they may imitate such acts to solve conflicts with peers. By contrast, age-appropriate educational programmes that show sharing, politeness and teamwork can guide children to adopt positive social behaviours.
On the other hand, supporters of the viewing time argument point out that excessive TV watching itself leads to problematic behaviour, regardless of content. Long hours of passive viewing reduce the time children spend on physical outdoor activities, face-to-face interaction with family and friends, and focused study. For instance, children who spend over 3 hours a day in front of TV often show higher levels of inattention, poor self-discipline and lower academic engagement, as they get used to fast-changing, effortless screen stimulation and struggle to concentrate on slower, more demanding real-world tasks. This sedentary habit also links to irritability caused by lack of exercise and disrupted sleep schedules.
In my opinion, both factors are equally impactful. Harmful content can directly teach inappropriate behaviour, while uncontrolled viewing time erodes children’s daily routines and social skills that support positive conduct. For example, a child who watches unsuitable content for long hours will face double the negative impact. Therefore, parents should both select high-quality, age-appropriate programmes for children and set strict daily screen time limits, to maximise the benefits of television while avoiding its harms.