Abstract

Much has changed since this landmark study of TV and its effect on children first appeared, but not for the better. In Marie Winn’s view, TV has no redeeming features. While the book may be at times repetitious, at time folksy, its arguments not terribly rigorous, the evidence Ms. Winn presents about the deleterious effects of TV on family life, reading, educational achievement, childhood itself, is very damning. I would be surprised if anyone after reading this book would be able, in good conscience, let their child watch TV.
TV has many critics, especially among parents, teachers, doctors, and other child advocates. However, most assaults on TV have focused on the content of programs—the level of violence, for example–not the act of watching. Implicit in these attacks is the premise that we can fix TV by improving its content. Ms. Winn considers such attacks misguided: she argues that watching itself is harmful to the …

Date

March 11, 2003

Authors

Kristina Lerman