It's truly interesting how, lately, the influence of TV and the internet on society is being taken more seriously. Last weekend, while looking for some material on the subject, I came across an article that particularly caught my attention. Here I'll share some of the excerpts that I found most relevant: "The television should be removed from the children's room; once that point is agreed upon, then the conversation can begin...""
""...TV teaches their children aggressive behavior, drug use, and immoral scenes... and today, parents are doing nothing to prevent it.""
""...before the age of 8, no child can differentiate reality from fantasy. Between the ages of 8 and 14, they fail to do so in matters related to immorality and drugs; and it is not until they are 15, 16, or 17 that they understand that everything is fantasy and entertainment.""
I won't lie, as soon as I delved deeper into the article's statements, I tried to picture the author's face. The first image that came to mind was that of some spiritual leader; I even imagined the face of some ultra-Orthodox rabbi (detached from the "reality," even the virtual reality, of this world). How great was my surprise to discover that it was none other than pediatrician Victor Strasburger, head of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, USA, and author of more than 120 studies and eight books on the effects of media on child and adolescent development.
Continuing my search, this time focused on the origins of television, I discovered that it was born in 1935 and became popular in the United States by the end of the 1940s. Furthering my research, I found a public address given by the Lubavitch Rebbe on October 30, 1954, precisely when television was just becoming popular (not 50 years later). In it, he warns of the serious harm television was causing to children and adults alike (of course, if the Rebbe was referring to 1954, his words are undoubtedly more relevant today than ever). In it, the Rebbe urges people not to allow television into their homes. I would like to share some excerpts with you: "...If one thinks that by watching only certain types of chosen programs one will be protecting oneself from the influence of TV, one should know that one is totally wrong, since who guarantees that the children who would also want to share with you will do so, besides they will ask themselves if their parents can watch TV, why can't they? To this we must add the aggravating fact that we unconsciously encourage them to disobey their parents (by watching those programs not authorized by them).
""...Even regarding parents, a question arises: what guarantee do they have that their children won't end up watching other programs? (nowadays, advertising is more than enough) until they eventually add more programs to the list...""
""...On the other hand, as parents we are always on guard against our children being negatively influenced by the street, and without realizing it, we are bringing those influences into our own homes through television...""
""...Thinking that one is strong and can avoid being influenced is just a utopia...""
Finally, dear reader, I put myself in your shoes and see you facing a dilemma. On the one hand, a renowned expert on the subject recommends keeping television away from children; on the other hand, the greatest spiritual leader of recent times recommends that we not even have it in our homes. Perhaps at some point you've asked yourself: What's that device still doing in my children's room?
Rabbi Yosef Feigelstok