Impact of Television Viewing on Health and Behaviour of Children and Teenagers –Comparative Study of Audiences

Since the creation of culture increasingly sophisticated methods of communication has evolved. The desire to get in touch with a wider audience encouraged the development of new methods: from cave paintings to symbols pressed into clay or drawn onto paper; from words printed in books to those transmitted by radio waves, the circle of contact increased. With the advent of television, speech and pictures were combined in a medium which would prove able to excite, stimulate, interest, agitate or provoke people at some time or another. Today media has a major influence on people, their lives and their lifestyle. Like the rest of the world our society is also governed by the ideals of the Mass Media. The media has played a crucial role in modifying the life styles of the people. It has also been a major influence in shaping the present culture. Unlike the print media; electronic media have shown an almost instantaneous impact in influencing the culture. Television for example has established an important position in the homes. As a result it has made an indelible mark on the individuals as well as the society. Technically television has changed the tone and manner of conveying ideas to people. The generation next doesn’t even like to depend on their friends and family. For them the magic is in the ‘ICE ’ (Information