AKSU Journal of Communication Research (AJCR)

PARENTS’ DECISION MAKING ROLE AND TELEVISION INFLUENCE ON YOUNG CHILDREN’S LEARNING COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Author:  COMFORT ENE OBAJE & ANDREW OGAH IJWO

Abstract
This study evaluates influence of television on young children’s learning and cognitive development in Makurdi, Benue State, with a view to identifying the decision making role of the parents in their children’s television viewing habit. The study is anchored on Social Learning Theory, complemented by Social Development Theory. Using the survey method with questionnaire as the instrument, 150 respondents were sampled. Findings from the study reveal that all homes sampled have television sets and the children, both below 2 years and above 2 years of age devote some amount of time to watching television. Majority of the respondents feel that television offer positive learning environment to children of all ages but at the same time, agree that it affects their academic performance. Findings also show that parents select the programmes their children watch and they co-view with them, mediate as well as tune to only children’s channels. The study recommends among other things that for the benefits of children television programmes to be fully realized, the parents need to understand the learning capabilities of their children and always monitor what they watch and set viewing limits to ensure that their children do not spend too much time in front of the television.