The Plug-in Drug: Television, Children, and the Family; Revised Edition [Paperback]

Marie Winn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 1985

Based on interviews with families, teachers and child specialists, this study examines television's impact on children. The book addresses the question - how does the passive act of watching television affect the developing child's relationship with the real world? This revised edition includes material on video games and computers, as well as a new chapter, "Television and the school". This work aims to help parents and educators re-examine their attitudes towards television and become aware of its dangers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Revised edition (February 5, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140076980
• ISBN-13: 978-0140076981
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should television be classified as a dangerous drug?, August 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Plug-in Drug: Television, Children, and the Family; Revised Edition (Paperback)

This book is about the effects of television on children and families.The use of television starts innocently enough.Too often TV is used as a child minder so that parents can get some peace and quiet: to prepare meals, so that Mom and Dad can sleep in at week-ends, etc.But dangers lurk in this innocent scenario.Before long, the kids are hooked on watching, and parents are hooked on a device for having the kids out of the way.Marie Winn aptly calls TV a drug.Many parents are aware of the dilemma, but often they are and the kids too hooked to break the habit.Winn explores the process of this addiction and the harm done to vibrant human living.For example, excessive TV viewing hampers the personal and social development of the child, so some mothers get a job to escape from their maladjusted kids!Winn offers helpful advice to families trying to cope with TV.She gives examples of the benefits families have experienced when they went without TV, such as increased family interaction, more creative and satisfying activities,doing various things that had been put of, and so on.Marie Winn gives many examples from family life which add great interest to this thoughtful and helpful book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frightening, relevant and persuasive, April 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Plug-in Drug: Television, Children, and the Family; Revised Edition (Paperback)

I was most struck with the information about what happens to us physically when we watch television. The very act of watching itself, without reference to content, changes the way our brains operate. I recommend this to all teachers, parents, and broadcast journalists.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars helps in understanding children, November 22, 2000

By 

Robertson Thomas (Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, South Korea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Plug-in Drug: Television, Children, and the Family; Revised Edition (Paperback)

For a long time I have been discouraged in my efforts to establish two-way communication with children. I would bring books, toys, and games to social functions and share them with children. Once one activity was over, the children would stare at me, waiting for me to start another activity. Why won't they provide any input of their own? Am I overpowering them without realizing it?

This book explained everything: the children think I'm a television!