The Role of Television in Society

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Recommended: Violence in the media

Few people doubt that watching a lot of violence on television can have a negative impact on the minds and well being of those people who are exposed to the violence, especially children and teenagers. Many ask how individuals and society can counteract the influence of media violence. After a review of chapters six and seven in the Baran text focusing on the role of television in society, I believe that parents should restrict their children’s amount of exposure to violent television programs and increase their exposure to public broadcasting television, Discovery Channel, and positive local community group involvement (Baran).

According to the Baran text, “By the time most people become adults, they have developed strongly held group commitments such as a political party and religious affiliations. There affiliations proved an effective barrier against media influences” (148). If parents work to get their children involved with social groups, the immediate effect is a decrease of the amount of time watching television altogether. Group involvement has the ability to take time aw...

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