Proactive viewers should support AnakTV’s key missions

TV has become the alternative “classroom” of many young Filipinos.

PARENTS and educators concerned about the negative effects that televiewing may have on children should get in touch with AnakTV (tel. no. (632) 352-2190, or via www.anaktvwed.com), which has been conducting a nationwide campaign for responsible TV viewership, especially for the protection of young viewers.

The need to become more vigilant and proactive in regards to TV’s effect on children is underscored by some disturbing statistics:

On average, the Filipino child, by age 18, shall have viewed a total of 16,000 hours of television (good, bad or indifferent)—as compared to the 12,000 hours he shall have spent in school! In some respects, therefore, TV has become the alternative “classroom” of many young Filipinos—and we shudder to contemplate what they “learn” from it!

Other statistics detail what TV “teaches” the Filipino child, both obviously and subliminally: Eighty percent of supposedly youthful programs (like cartoons) feature violent acts. Thirty-three thousand is the estimated number of murders seen on TV. Exactly half of the Philippines’ population of over 90 million is aged 18 years or younger. Therefore, in many respects, what goes for our young viewers goes for the nation as a whole.

Growth

More: There are literally hundreds of TV shows on view for us to choose from—but only five of those are locally produced children’s programs! And yet, TV channels are required by law to devote a significant percentage of their locally produced programs to shows that develop the young viewer in all of the areas of his potential growth as a person and member of society.

Is your child at risk from “unfriendly” and “unhealthy” TV? What can you do about it? Call AnakTV for help—and offer to support and implement its key missions in turn.

—And, while you’re at it, watch out for these danger signs, which AnakTV says could indicate trouble already brewing in your home:

Your televiewing or even “TV-addicted” child is getting fat. He lacks exercise and eats too much. He spends too much time alone watching TV, and doesn’t interact enough with other people and the big, wide world around him.

He behaves like a movie star and talks “show biz” all the time. When shopping, he insists on buying familiar brands advertised on TV. He wants to get rich quick, and thus dreams of becoming a star, singer, dancer—or champion boxer!

Activities

In school, he’s getting poor grades. With his peers, he’s obsessed with how he looks and daydreams a lot instead of studying. He’s bored with reading and his spelling has deteriorated. Because TV can be hypnotic, he’s frequently late for activities. He spends more hours watching TV than talking to his parents and friends.

He determines the shows he wants to watch, with little or no parental supervision. —As for expecting the household help to choose “healthy” shows for your child to watch, don’t bank on it, because they have their own viewing preferences, as well—and “healthy,” many of them are not!

If your child rates poorly on the above checklist, it’s key to realize that your family needs help—and to take concerted action—to escape the potentially addictive hold of TV on your children.

AnakTV can help. But, you can also help yourself if you realize that parental supervision is a must in transforming the “curse” of TV into the blessing and helpmeet it can be—if you learn how to use it proactively.