Where are they?
How much television do you watch?
Do you watch more TV at the weekend?
What are your favourite TV programmes?
What TV programmes do you never watch?
Do you have rules in your home about how much television you can watch per day?
What age do you think is appropriate for children to begin watching television?
If a television is on, even in the background, do you find yourself tuning it out?
How do you think your family life would be different if you cut down on the hours that the television — or televisions — in your home were on?
Do you know anyone who doesn't have a TV set at home?
What are the potential benefits of television-watching?
What about the drawbacks?
What Role Does Television Play in Your Life and the Life of Your Family? was a feature of The Student Opinion in The New York Times Learning Network in mid-October last year. Get together with the members of your conversation group and discuss the questions above with them.
In preparation, you can read The New York Times article Parents Urged Again to Limit TV for Youngest, about the harmful effects of TV for children's development.
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