Television Poisons Young Minds

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: Feb 08, 2001

Television Poisons Young Minds



When people tell me they have disposed of their television sets I no longer consider them radical, as I once did. Television has become poison, especially for young minds.

A study just released by the Kaiser Family Foundation has found that the number of prime-time programs with "sexual content" is on the increase ... up from 56 percent three years ago to 68 percent in the 1999-2000 television season. Three-quarters of prime-time programs now feature sexual content, compared with two-thirds three years ago.

Television intercourse is on the rise, too. Three years ago, only 7 percent of shows depicted or strongly suggested intercourse. Last season, the figure was 10 percent.

Meanwhile on MTV there are increasing voyeuristic incidents of teenagers having sex, lying to parents and other undignified behavior. Television has become the enemy of the family. It is an unwelcome guest in too many homes. My advice if you have children is to get rid of it. What's to miss?

I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.

Television Poisons Young Minds