UK viewers becoming addicted to TV

Emdad Rahman

Ofcom has published a survey that has worryingly listed the UK with the highest increase in TV watching.

The survey compared the UK with European neighbours such as Holland, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, as well as the USA.

Data produced by the communications watchdog states that the increase in TV was up by up to 3.8 hours a day (3.2%).

The average was 3.5 hours per day, a little less than Poland and Spain.

In the States, viewers watched the most TV, with an average of 4.6 hours a day, an increase of 1.8% from 2007.

Even with an increase of 1.9%, the Swedes watch the least TV.

Newham resident Sufia Nessa based the findings on the recession; "people don't have the surplus cash to splash out at the moment," she said.

"Others I know have stopped eating out to save cash. This is why pizza consumption in front of the TV has increased."

This is a sad indication of us modern day humans," said Imam Ilyas from Al Aqsa Mosque. "It is indeed sad that adults and children miss out on so much because of hours spent in front of the TV.

"The loss to health is also crucial, as many become lazy, lethargic and turn into couch potatoes.

Imam Ilyas is calling on parents to spend more time with their children engaging in "ailing" activities such as board games, quizzes and reading.

"Old is gold, and our previous generations benefited so much, as we had no computers, and in some cases TV.

"We thus found entertainment in sport, and the activities I have mentioned. This benefited us in all aspects of our development," he added.