Professional paper
Television Addiction
Tonči Trstenjak
; Filozofski fakultet Družbe Isusove, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Television has become one of modern man's basic necessities: it is virtually a member of the family, a household pet, as well as a source of daily entertainment, but also the root of certain pathological states which are cause for concern, for more and more time is being spent in front of the television screen. The citizens of the United States and Mexico devote the largest number of hours to watching television. Regarding Central Europe, evidence indicates that Hungarians and Croats spend almost four hours per day watching television. The author analyzes primarily the negative effects of this trend upon the health of the viewer and upon interpersonal relationships, particularly on family relationships.
The increase in the number of television addicts is troubling, since the television addict does not differ from the drug addict as far as pathological behaviour is concerned. This is particularly alarming in the case of children for whom the television is often a teacher or parent surrogate. The elderly are also at risk, since to them television viewing is sometimes an escape from loneliness and depression, and so it is often at the root of serious health problems. The author presents statistical data based on the latest research on television addiction, other types of addiction and induced pathological states.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
943
URI
Publication date:
18.3.2006.
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