Averting couch potato-ism: Commonplace for children and pre-teens

EMMANUEL MWENDWA Have you ever had a turn-up night on a Monday? As in, dancing the night away until the crack of dawn? Have you ever had a turn-up night on a Monday? As in, dancing the night away until the crack of dawn? For the longest time, television viewing among impressionable children has elicited intense censure. Lately, the bone of contention, at least locally, hinges upon programme content adjudged to be inordinate, besides also the hour slots when subtly ‘over-age’ shows should be aired. Also brought into sharp focus globally, is tech-driven digital platforms’ double-edged influence vis-à-vis content benefits to educate or shape appropriate values, especially for potentially susceptible viewers. On instances, guardians are unlikely to be around to monitor or provide guidance for ensuing preferences in an already overwhelming pool of content for the little ones to watch. The choice to play outdoors, weed flower beds or kitchen gardens, read storybooks or undertake homework studies may not particularly appeal to especially digital-savvy children. These traditional pastime options are increasingly playing second fiddle – often to the irresistible allure of handy palm-sized smartphones, gaming play-station consoles or multiple-inch TV screens. Recent statistics indicate children and teenagers comprise an approximate 45 per cent of television viewership across mainstream pay-TV channels and free-to-air digital broadcast service providers. Averting couch potato-ism: Commonplace for children and pre-teens QUESTIONABLE CONTENT This trend, prevalent and reportedly growing more so among children – entails having to spend mornings, afternoons or evenings holed up at home, indulging in varied programmes or videos. Grace Maloba, a parent to pre-teens, points out that it is pertinent to take up the onus and reach out by guiding children, from early on against questionable content peddled on some TV channels. “Our youthful generation is growing up engulfed in an environment abounding in all sorts of toxic media content – children who may fancy music videos, for instance, are likely to be exposed to uncensored content laden with suggestive messages,” she says. A low-keyed clamour persists locally over seeming upsurge of such clips, some which may be considered overtly erotic, being aired during the afternoon or early evening hours. “Numerous scenes I have witnessed border on adult-category ratings, all which leave a bit too little to the kid’s imagination,” remarks Maloba. Misleading ideals According to findings of independent medical research, children who spend over 28 hours watching TV on a weekly basis, “tend to internalise an alternative vision of the real world – thinking it constitutes reality in itself”. Research has established that whatever is seen or heard does register vividly in one’s subconscious. “When children are hooked to tantalising programmes and other video clips, subtle psychological games ingrained in their minds could stimulate misleading ideals,” cautions findings of a Canadian Paediatrics Association Journal report. Curiously, in the West, unmonitored TV viewing has been flagged and classified as a subtle form of child abuse, a move that resulted in the introduction of the Children’s Television Act in the US. Early this year, the American Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a proposal aiming to revise rules on children’s programming. This measure provides an opportunity for children’s advocates, industry stakeholders and policymakers to offer solutions to safeguard content programming. Also proposed last month was ‘Kids Internet Design and Safety Act’ – a bill that seeks federal legislation to extend protection and values of the Children’s Television Act to align with the modern digital age. The document offers guidelines to tackle “the root issue of algorithms that push unhealthy content to kids, as well as manipulative and addictive design features that keep kids glued to the screen”. Media pundits describe the proposal as a step toward confronting a much larger and more pressing reality “we all face today — the growing influence of tech on our kids and its unintended consequences”. Closer home, a silent campaign has increasingly been brewing in living rooms of urban and rural households. Some parents and guardians are enforcing ‘No-TV’ hours in an attempt to regulate excessive viewing and monitor what children watch. This course of action is triggered by the flood of digital platforms teeming with unprecedented, potentially explicit programming screened regularly on local stations and pay channels. Experts insist that parents, guardians or grown-ups at home have a responsibility to “sieve out the trash – by picking out informative, educative, all-round beneficial programmes”. “Anything beyond this scope should be discouraged, even if it means enforcing No-TV hours. A sense of self-censorship ought to be instilled early enough,” asserts Judith Bwire, a social ethics trainer and cultural artiste. “The number of time children spends watching TV, regardless of content, ought to be moderated because it decreases time spent on more beneficial activities such as reading, playing with friends, and developing hobbies,” she adds. Content monitoring Although local content has steadily grown, the West has been on the firing line – on instances blamed for monopolising audio-visual productions globally. For years, Kenya relied on foreign content for almost 85 per cent of its TV menu, up from 70 per cent in the mid-1990s. The licensing of additional TV channels also doubled the rate of programme imports. “A lot of imported entertainment shows screened locally tend to reflect an apparent eagerness for content that provokes sensual feelings through subtle eroticism,” notes another parent. A study on the impact of TV programmes exported to Third World countries reads in part: “...through satellite dishes, the West subjugates other indigenous cultures and promotes their own using the electronic media… It is getting easier every day for Third World children to identify with foreign showbiz stars, yet most cannot relate with their own national heroes,” states the report in the Culture and Society British Journal. “They are fascinated by the glamour and mannerisms on screen, which many try to emulate even when these may not propagate what is culturally or morally appropriate or upright,” it further reports. But as the content monitoring debate rages on, any break from TV-watching no doubt prompts youngsters to find some time to simply play and kick the ball around in the neighbourhood. For those in enclosed communities, rediscovering the joy of tending flowers in the backyard or front home gardens can be fun – or opting for bike rides to exercise and attain physical fitness. Learning to experiment with art, sketching, drawing or playing musical instruments is an option that can help mould self-esteem, enhance social skills or open opportunities for interaction among children with similar interests. For older teens, one to three days of restricted viewing could stimulate the need to read books, novels or even attempt to make meaningful conversations with new friends in the estate. BENEFITS Psycho–analyst counsellors advice on the need to turn off the TV for a couple of hours, a few days a week or at more intervals, then find out what happens. No-TV hours could guarantee maximum concentration on homework, and probably arouse previously unexplored creativity such as with painting brushes and colours, besides solving otherwise ‘difficult’ crossword or jigsaw puzzles. “The quiet time without the TV set turned on in the background offers a conducive environment for kids trying to learn how to cultivate independent thought patterns. It also empowers them with the ability to generate their own ideas not wholly influenced by ideas borrowed from the ‘tube’,” remarks Judith. “To offset peer pressure among friends or classmates, contact other parents and agree to enforce similar rules about the length of time and type of programme the children may watch,” adds the youth trainer. Young people who spend long hours watching the screen on a daily or weekly basis rarely admit to this seemingly harmless, yet potentially habitual pre-occupation. Nonetheless, research has proven with guidance on appropriate programmes, the TV is an indispensable source of informative and educative entertainment. Well, that was the case this week as Ital Vibes Entertainment held their monthly reggae show at Blackyz Lounge along Chaka Road, Hurlingham. The event lived up to its hype as reggae lovers flocked the establishment to enjoy some tunes thanks to VDJ Chacha and MC Cure. As the night rocked away, revellers were treated to a performance from Musical Sheriff. Popularly known as the dancing deejay, he showed his infamous dancing moves as he brought a unique music experience. Speaking to PD Wikendi, event founder VDJ Chacha said, “I am beyond excited by the turnout and I thank God for this opportunity. I believe through my musical stable, I will reach the masses and become a favourite to many.” He added that they will be doing more shows around Nairobi, as he eyes the city’s outskirts.

Averting couch potato-ism: Commonplace for children and pre-teens

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Averting couch potato-ism: Commonplace for children and pre-teens

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