| dc.description.abstract | Mass media are tools for the transfer of information, concepts, and ideas to both general and specific audiences. They are important tools in advancing a wide range of issues of public interest, central to both work and play. The purpose oftlVs study was to investigate the effects of the Television viewing on children of ages 2 -17 years. The theoretical framework used media effects communication approach. A descriptive survey design was used, which included administering of questionnaires, field observations, oral interviews and focused group discussions, as tools for data collection. The research site was Nairobi County, where the sampled representative populations had access to Television and were located in Rubia and Southlands estates, both in Langata area of Nairobi County, Kenya. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 121 respondents for the interviews. The data was analyzed by the use of computer software called SPSS.
According to the findings, the electronic media particularly the television viewing, has, to a greater extent, negative effects on the children, more so, those in the age groups between 2 - 17 years, specifically, 13 to 17 years, in terms of education, social life and behavior especially those children with minimal parental guidance. This study found out that even the youngest children in Kenya, are viewing Television, many at higher levels than recommended by child development professionals. There are rapidly growing markets for early childhood television programming, computer software for toddlers, and video series for infants. pediatricians, educators, researchers, and policymakers, have raised particular concerns about electronic media particularly on television use among very young children. Aecording to the findings, some of the negative effects of television viewing include obesity, aggression, fear, and sleep disturbances on children. However the study also found out that educational Television viewing programming, had both immediate and long range educational benefits on the viewers.
The outcome of this Study indicates that compared to other areas in health and education, research on the effects of media use , particularly television viewing on
very young children has not been a consistent funding priority for many governments, foundations, or academic institutions. There is urgent need for the Government of Kenya, to review the existing policy and legislation, that deals with electronic media, particularly television viewing on children and put mechanisms inplace to enforce the same. It is evident that the adverse as well as the positive effects of the electronic. media, particularly TV Viewing on children, have not been exhaustively demonstrated locally. There has not been any specific policy direction on this issue in Kenya. The Government, Donors and Sponsors, dealing with children issues, should put more effort in coming up with an enforceable Policy direction and legislation addressing Media Content issues to protect children. | en_US |
