Television: Educational Value or Time-Snatcher?

Television: Educational Value or Time-Snatcher?
by: Masyitah Sabri

            Ever since its inception, the television’s presence had been well-integrated into the daily lives of society. It serves as a medium to broadcast a variety of matters to the masses in the comfort of their homes or workplaces. The lives of humans have immensely benefited from its presence. Despite that, debates have broken out regarding the extent of its utility – whether it is truly an educational device or simply a means of passing the time. In this article, several arguments will be analyzed.

            Firstly, the intention and perception of the audience plays a pivotal role in determining whether television is educational or steals people’s time through endless entertainment. If a housewife decides to use television as a means to enrich their knowledge in culinary works, then the television would certainly be educational for her. However, if she turns on the television with the intention of relieving stress and boredom by watching soap operas, then she would simply be passing her time.

            Besides that, the effect of watching television on society should also be considered. When one watches applies the knowledge or information they gained from television to real-life situations, it is only logical to be treated as an educational and beneficial commodity. Despite that, if watching television does not result in taking concrete action in one’s life, regardless of how beneficial the content had been, it may also be considered as simply passing the time.

            To conclude, television may provide educational value or simply be a means of passing the time. This depends on one’s intention of watching and perception towards the content, as well as the consequential effects of watching television.