B1 – Intermediate
Watching TV can be fun. But too much of it can lead to more harm than good.
Read the article below to know the connection between depression and watching too much TV. Be ready to express your thoughts about it.
http://www.english-online.at/society/teens-depression/television-habits-teens.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
23 replies on “Teens, Television, and Depression”
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
No. I like relaxing at the end of the day wathing a TV serial or a film. I also like to be awere of news. However, I think that my use of the TV is quite measured and I don’t feel to have any kind of addicion.
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
Yes. If one person spends too many hours watching TV, just letting time pass and without showing any other interest or aim, it is quite probably he is not satisfied about his life. Not working in changing this actitude may increase his negative feelings leading to serious health issues.
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
Stressful lifestyles or permanent insatisfaction about your lifestyle may also lead to depression.
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
I like to have close talks with my friends and family. I also like enjoy with them by practicing relaxing or funy activities.
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
As I see it, I wouldn´t myself a TV addict. I spend between one or two hours watching TV a day. I like watching Sitcom, films or historical fiction.
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
Yes, I completely agree. On the one hand, TV and Mass media sometimes shows us an irreal and not common world where people lives fabulous and glamorous lifes and you could feel that your life is not successful. On the other hand, the news usually tell us misfortunes, wars and deaths which could have us feel sad and depressed.
3.What do you think are other causes of depression?
In my opinión, other causes of depression could be: Firstly, to have a mental disorder, a large period of anxiety or stress, or a serious illness. Secondly, if you break up with your partner, probably you will feel depressed. Finally, people who lose their house or job could have a sensation of sadness.
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
I usually practise outdoor activities (running and trekking) with my friends and we playing board games togheter on sundays afternoon. Also, I spend a lot of time with my mother, brothers and nephews going to the cinema and we eat a lunch together on Saturdays.
Good work trying to improve your writing skills through this exercise.
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1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
No, I spend about half an hour a day watching TV, just to catch the news
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
I don’t know, maybe right now yes, but not for the reason stated in the text, but because of the type of news they give related to society, economy, disasters, accidents,…
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
Other possible causes of depression can be work or family problems, job instability, social pressures, excessive stress…
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and fanily?
Go to the mountains with friends or to a family meal on certain days specials as Christmas.
Be a little careful with your use of ellipses (…) in punctuating your sentences. They are only used when a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or more from a quoted passage has been omitted or to indicate a pause or express hesitation, changes of mood, etc.
Here is a better way to express these answers of yours:
Good going with your writing practice! Keep it up.
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
Not at all, I don’t usually watch TV. I only watch TV when there’s a serie or movie that interests me or sports games like the Fifa World Cup and Champions League.
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
I could not say for sure if watching TV is directly related with depression, but I agree that watching TV too much is a waste of time because you could be spending that time doing something more useful like learning something or enjoying with friends and family.
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
I think depression is a very complicated condition that is caused by many reasons depending of the person. Between the common causes of depression we can find all types of abuse, health problems, relationship problems, money problems, death or loss of a loved one among others.
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
I enjoy outdoor activities where I can be with family and friends, like picnics or going for walks or hiking. I also like going to parties and have some drinks with my friends and cousins.
You are obviously trying your best in improving your writing skills. Good going!
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Cheers to more improvements in your skills!
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
I dont consider myself a TV addict, I dont have TV in my house. I think the new generations are more addicted to mobiles phones and laptops and dont use a lot the TV.
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
Yes, I am agree because I thing that humans needs other humans and sociality to feel good and if you are always in your house watching TV there is probability to lead to depression.
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
I think you could lead to depression watching Instagram because you see the “perfect life” and the “perfect woman” and you can be like that so you can have problems with yourself.
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
I love going to the beach and traveling with my family and friends. To meet new people and I think that I am lucky because in Madrid you will always have a different plan.
Good job writing your answers. Keep going with your practice so you may be able to improve your skills more and more.
Here is one response that can still be revised:
Always have fun with your writing practice.
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
No. I wouldn’t. I usually don’t watch tv.
The TV is bored for me, I can`t stay long time in front of a TV, because I don’t pent attention it.
In the week, I try I can watch the news in the night a little, or may be in the weekend watch a film, but it not very common.
At the only moment that I can stay two hours in front of TV is when I watch a concert or any documental that wake up it my attention.
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
Yes, I Agree. Because you stop doing other activities, your time life social is reduced considerably. you can closed in yourself.
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
Well, there are many other causes. Different problems, bad healthy, no friends, not work, no money.
but thinking about with TV, I think that it shows a world superficial, a ficcion the world that it not true. And in younger people can doing that they feel frustration.
For me, social networks show a wrong concept of being, of beauty, and for a teenager who is in the process of discovering her essence or knowing herself, it is very harmful because it can negatively influence influence her or him.
4.What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
I enjoy walking for a park, or visit different cities, to know other towns. I like doing excursions wherever. I go and enjoy it.
Good job practicing consistently. Continue with this exercise.
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1. I don´t know, because I spend ten hours per day in my job, when I got home I am really tyred, and stay the rest of the day waching TV, but in the end it´s about I´m tired not interested the programs.
2. Of course, I agree, it´s normal because you are alone in your home, and if you stay with your friends doing other activities it´s better for your metal health.
3. Other causes of depresion are bad healthy, no friends, too work, no money …
4. I love cooking for my boy friend and friends, reading books and walking in my town. But I recognize that sometimes stay tired not wanting to do anything, and lost my time in front of the TV
Good job answering the questions. Keep going with this exercise to further improve your skills in writing.
Here is a how you can still write this response a bit better:
Cheers to your next entries!
1. No, I don’t watch TV more than an hour per day.
2. Maybe is true. TV tend to show a disturbed version of reality, in which people is happy, have money and do what they really like. This could lead to wrong objectives in life and pursuing a toxic path.
3. I think that sedentarism in general is a problem, when you are active, you do not have time to think about how miserable is your life. On the other hand, if you are active, you do things that in the end make you feel good.
4. Board games are really fun, or maybe watching a film. Watching TV doesn’t have to be bad, especially when you enjoy it with someone.
You’ve expressed yourself well. However, it would be worthwhile to be a bit mindful of word choice and subject-verb agreement in your sentences.
Take a look at a few minor corrections in this sentence:
Keep up the good job and consistent practice!
1 I would not consider myself addicted to TV because I dont have time for watching tv .I watch TV after dinner for a while until I get sleeped
2 . Probably because you need to go out and spend time with your firends , famuly and practise some sports , If you are too much time seat on the sofa your mind get worse
3. I think the most important thing is what you say yourself and how many times per day , .If you get rid bad thoughs is difficult to get depressed
4 . I like going to restaurants with my family and friends after practising some trecking of visiting nice sittings
Good job continuing with your writing practice. Keep going with it until you reach the level that you are aiming for.
Here’s a better way to express that last phrase in this sentence:
Until your next entry!
1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
No I am not. I can spent 1 hour per day, 2 or 3 days per week.
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
Yes, I think we are social species and the time spent on TV, we are not socializing, or learning new things, or reading, or practicing some sport.
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
Stress, a lost from a person who you love, loneliness…
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?
Sport kike climbing, hiking, spend time in the nature, playing games together…
It’s great to see you practicing your writing.
Here is one sentence that could still be revised:
Keep going with this exercise.
1. I do not consider myself a TV addict.
2. I agree that too much TV may lead to depression
3. I think are other causes of depression as for example: playing some videogames
4. I enjoy doing with friends and family: Eating with them, shopping, dancing, traveling…
Socializing with friends is one of the best ways to spend my leisure time and improve my mental health.
Try to elaborate on your answers a bit more so you can also practice writing more and longer sentences.
Here is how you can improve the structure of this sentence:
Keep going with this exercise.
I do not consider myself addicted to TV or any other technology, although it is true that because of the work I have to spend much time in front of the computer. I’m just addicted to not getting bored.
I think that the real reason why people get depressed when watching TV or playing some videogames, it is not the action of doing it, is what you see and feel during and after it ends.
I mean, when you see on video games or series how people feel, you empathize, and then when you finish it, you realize that nothing fills you, you are alone, bored, you don’t have someone to talk to. And this is normal, people need to interact with other people, feel alive, or simply feel.
Well-written responses. Great work. Keep it up!
A minor correction for you:
I do not consider myself addicted to TV or any other technology, although it is true that because of the work I have to spend much time in front of the computer.
I do not consider myself addicted to TV or any other technology but it is true that because of the work I have, I usually need to spend so much time in front of the computer.