[matthewoingram]

Television.

For some it's the one link to the outside world, for others it's a source of constant entertainment and for some it's a device which is dumbing down our society.

Is television useful or harmful to society? Is it the television itself or the programming which is potentially dangerous? And in what ways is it dangerous?

Let's talk!

[GEEKSruletheworld!]

This is a good question to ask.
some people may argue (like myself) that it's a valuable source of information/entertainment/advertisement. but others can also say that if certain programs are exposed to people who are underage, this could potentially ruin the way they think or their perception of life.
overall I think it is USEFUL !! simply for the fact that it's purpose was a box full of entertainment and it delivers exactly that.

[The Polymath]

(Original post by matthewoingram)
Television.

For some it's the one link to the outside world, for others it's a source of constant entertainment and for some it's a device which is dumbing down our society.

Is television useful or harmful to society? Is it the television itself or the programming which is potentially dangerous? And in what ways is it dangerous?

Let's talk!

TV definitely has negative psychological impacts, but I'd say the main contributor by FAR is the advertising and trash TV. Personally I love the BBC - if we just had the BBC, everything would be sorted
- Inspiring, intelligent documentaries (Frozen Planet, Planet Earth, Wonders of the Solar System and many more)
- Classic and by definition unbiased news(well, not always perfectly so but definitely a hell of a lot more so than the other channels).
- Solid dramas which are almost always of great quality (Doctor Who, Sherlock, Eastenders (not that I watch it, just that it seems to be popular).
- Brilliant comedy - Mock the Week, Roadshows, Live at the Apollo, Live at the Electric, Russell Howard's Good News, etc. What separates BBC comedy from the stuff on E4, for example, is the intelligence behind it. BBC comedy is always clever, witty and not just cheap scripted laughs (hello 2 Broke Girls!)
- No adverts - adverts ruin people without them even noticing it. Mindless, sheep, consumerism, blind, bandwagon, influenced, enough said.

BBC <3 I know it's got where it is because it's a public broadcaster, but what's the issue with it? You pay, you get excellent value, and it's a broadcaster dedicated to serving the public rather than raking in the dosh (even if you disagree you can't argue that due to its nature it serves the public far more than any other channel)

[HypeGirl94]

I'm saying no, it's not dangerous.
It's like everything else, in moderation, healthy, but it's when it becomes an obsession that it's unhealthy.
If you are going to take away TV, you may as well get rid of alcohol, fast food, tanning beds etc...
I am a full time student and part-time employee who rarely watches the TV, but likes the odd Saturday night watching X factor, and that's how I relax. I say educate the people, not ban the TV.

[KillForOreos]

(Original post by HypeGirl94)
I'm saying no, it's not dangerous.
It's like everything else, in moderation, healthy, but it's when it becomes an obsession that it's unhealthy.
If you are going to take away TV, you may as well get rid of alcohol, fast food, tanning beds etc...
I am a full time student and part-time employee who rarely watches the TV, but likes the odd Saturday night watching X factor, and that's how I relax. I say educate the people, not ban the TV.

I agree totally, it's the person, not the TV. TV is a kind of education for us all, we pick up ideals, lessons, ideas, vital information, updates of information, and for some people it's a way of seeing the world. It teaches us all, those who use TV.
It isn't dangerous, it's just how people interact with it.

[Negaduck]

I have no problem with TV in general, I just think most of the stuff shown on TV is utter ****e.

[Cmmah]

TV has its goods and evils.
Good news coverage, comedies and documentaries are always worth watching. Not to forget the sports coverage either.
However, anyone who watches Big Brother/TOWIE/Jersey Shore/Deal or No Deal should be removed from the gene pool.

[the bear]

i prefer the wireless...it is free. the money saved on a licence instead pays exactly for my smartphone fees

**** tha beeb

[No Man]

Some stuff is good other stuff isn't, like the internet.

[Hipster]

There is nothing wrong with television except for people's tastes in television programmes.

[hyakushiki1234]

I don't like a great deal of TV, to be honest. I basically watch Dave and the BBC channels exclusively, occasionally some cooking shows on other channels. But I can't spend hours watching soaps and reality TV. That would drive me insane.

I don't think it harms society, however. In many ways in benefits society, especially democratically through easy and fast spread of news. Yes, you can get that on the radio as well, but it's more vivid watching rather than listening. As an example: The Civil Rights movement in the USA progressed hugely due to pressure coming from around the world and from the electorate after seeing images of Southern racists overreacting to peaceful protests which included women and children (ie with attack dogs, beatings &c). That was a result of TV.