The effects of television viewing on 12 to 17-year-old school adolescents’ social behavior in Kinondoni municipality

This study investigated the effects of various TV entertainment programmes watched by 12 to 17 year old school adolescents on their social behaviour in Kinondoni Municipality. In achieving that purpose, the study identified the types of TV entertainment programmes watched by adolescents, examined the types of parental supervision adolescents received when watching TV and analyzed the effects of TV entertainment programmes watched by adolescents on social behaviour. The study used an explanatory mixed approach which involved quantitative data that supplements qualitative data. Also, the study adopted cross sectional research design to collect data at one point in time. The study involved a total of 170 participants of whom 144 were school adolescents from 8 selected schools, 8 selected discipline teachers as well as 18 selected parents. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, semi-closed questionnaire and focus group discussion. Quantitative data was computed by using a SPSS 20.0 then presented in graphs and tables, while qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis. Firstly, adolescents watched various TV entertainment programmes with an average of two hours daily. Calculated chi square observed that there was no statistical significance between adolescent boys and girls in watching TV entertainment programmes. However, programme contents watched on TV was determined by an individual preference. Secondly, adolescents’ TV watching was influenced by: parental restriction, individuals watching television with adolescents at homes and accomplishment of domestic chores. Thirdly, most of adolescents watched TV with friends and siblings rather parents because their parents were absent during the TV watching time. However, a few parents discussed with their adolescents about TV programmes’ contents watched altogether. Programmes of sex in nature were watched by adolescents alone with the absence of parents. Fourthly, TV entertainment programmes were associated with both perceived benefits and perceived risks. However, in the calculated partial correlation, the findings indicated that there was negative correlation between watching TV entertainment programmes and adolescents’ sexual behaviour. Therefore, the study recommends that parents and guardians should be educated on the importance of guiding adolescents on what to watch on television. Additionally, a longitudinal study is recommended for further study.