Too much time in front of a television or movie screen can interfere with basic physical activity and create a sedentary lifestyle. According to a 2009 study by the Nielsen Company, children ages 2 to 5 and 6 to 11, respectively, spend an average of 32 hours a week and 28 hours a week in front of a television. The American Academy of Pediatrics stated this likely means more children are less physically active, such as playing with friends outside, to maintain these viewing habits.
Adults also can experience these effects, especially when they combine watching a film or movie while eating junk food. At the time of publication, one national epidemic that affects more than 80 million Americans is metabolic syndrome, a diagnosis that describes the potential increase of heart attacks, diabetes and a stroke due to a combination of obesity and physical inactivity.
The violence and sexuality in TV shows, commercials and movies can affect people emotionally both consciously and unconsciously. Each form of media uses a strong combination of verbal and non-verbal messages that may even create an atypical response in the viewer, such as rooting for a wife to cheat on her husband or being interested in a product because it was presented in a sexy commercial. Desensitization can also occur and inspire random acts of aggression or lust in the real world when a person attempts to act out something seen on the screen. In contrast, other images may create a fear or cynicism of the world that can powerfully affect how an individual functions in society.
Watching a film or television program is typically a one-sided activity where people face a screen and don't look at each other during the presentation. Traditional conversation activities, such as eating a meal or entertaining guests, can become socially stifled when a TV is turned on. For this reason, watching a movie may actually be a disadvantage for dating or other relationship-building activities.
The dialogue on television can also contribute to uncivil attitudes inside and outside the home. Both comedies and dramas can contain rude, boastful, hostile and disrespectful speech that is more insulting than edifying. Children may not be able to discern the unkind words on TV that are underscored by a laugh track, and adults may be inspired to repeat the manipulative behavior in a movie to get ahead in life. All these one-liners and yelling can create poor coping skills when life doesn't turn out as predictably as it does in a movie.
Watching a lengthy film or TV show means becoming exposed to values you may not ultimately agree with. Television and movie ratings may be helpful to people attempting to discern the morals of a particular form of media, but these systems may ultimately prove incomplete to more discerning viewers. Some websites, such as CommonSenseMedia.org and PluggedInOnline.com, offer more detailed commentary and information on content.