TV addiction: A silent danger

I will never forget the day when a monochrome or black-and-white TV came into our house for the first time in 1978. It was a wonderful device that allowed me to learn and be entertained at the same time through programmes like quiz shows, news, sports, international television series, movies etc. Back then, the television programmes were not on 24/7 like they are right now. However, watching television has become a hazard in the lives of most people now.

In this modern age of technology, most of us tend to lose balance when it comes to watching TV as this harmless amusement often turn into an addiction.

Addiction is defined as any situation where a person spends an unusual amount of time on a substance to the point that it affects other daily and essential activities of the said person. Most people spend somewhere around four to five hours in front of the television daily. I often hear people complaining that they do not seem to have enough time to study, work, exercise, and spend time with family etc. If these people look into their daily schedules, most of them will realise that they spend a lot of time watching television.

The lure of television can be irresistible and overwhelming. But if we are conscious, we can break away from its virtual shackles by allotting a limited time for television daily. The saved time can be used in other productive work.

Mohammad Sohel Hara

Banasree, Dhaka

[email protected]