The Upsides and Downsides of TV Shows

Aileen Natania Ho, Grade 12

Growing up we were constantly exposed to television as a source of entertainment. Nowadays reality and talent shows have been constantly broadcast all over the world for all people to watch. Since reality and talent TV shows provide a feeling of spontaneity and reality it makes us believe that the manners and feelings that they display are real. This effect could result in a positive or negative way for the viewers.

From the drama to the laughter that these shows bring to their audience. We can't deny that these shows are very enjoyable to watch. While watching reality shows we would form this false bond with the people that we see on screen. While we know that it's greatly exaggerated and sometimes scripted, the feeling as if we were friends with them is amplified with the fact that it's a ‘reality’ show.

Most of the people watching reality and talent shows are young children and teenagers.  From dating to alcohol consumption, these shows address topics that are sensational especially to young minds. If young children watch too many of these TV shows, they could feel insecure and the need to compare themselves to the people who participated on the show, which could then result in low self-esteem. These shows are also often highly-sexualized and could be inappropriate for younger children to watch and not to mention these shows are less likely to be educational.