Question

Reality television is bad for you/your mental health

Answer 1

This claim is an opinion. Nobody can say for sure whether or not reality tv is good or bad for someone, because the effects are has is subjective. For example:

In one case, reality can make you laugh and feel joy. This can relieve stress and improve your mental health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456

On the other hand, studies have shown potential links between reality tv and negative body image. https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1326&context=etd

Overall, many different factors go into our perception of reality tv. What could be good for some may not be so good for others. It is impossible for this statement to be either true or false. 

Comments

Great work finding two strong sources that back up your fact-check and rating.

Answer 2

"Some reality shows—like Top Chef, Shark Tank, and Undercover Boss—can be educational, inspiring, and motivational for children to watch"

"Research has shown that, while mature audiences may be able to distinguish between reality and reality television, it's harder for children and adolescents to do so."

leading to: Lowered self-esteem from unrealistic beauty standards, distorted values, normalization of aggression and bullying, and unrealistic image of success.

https://www.ruanliving.com/blog/%2Fimpact-reality-shows-younger-generation

Answer 3

While it can be said that TV can have links to mental health issues, it goes without saying that this claim is a little misleading in that reality TV is not the sole issue. More or less it is television in general that has links to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, per News Medical Life Sciences. The link is here to the article explaining such connection. 

Answer 4

Reality television is bad for your health depending on what you are watching. There are some shows that you can watch that you would be able to benefit from but the majority are not good for you. according to the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds "reality TV has an impact on the values of young girls and how they view real-life situations. That being the case, it’s important to take a look at some of the standards portrayed on reality TV." This means that for young women they are comparing themselves to these people that have more money than them and its unobtainable. 

https://www.mghclaycenter.org/parenting-concerns/teenagers/impact-reality-tv-teens-can-parents/

Answer 5

Yes, in my opinion, certain Reality TV can have a damaging impact on your mental health (mainly depending on the show). In most instances, reality TV shows can expose you to unrealistic portrayals of reality and life, therefore influencing your behavior. 

According to an article by the Washburn Review, reality shows can present a distorted version of reality, leading to negative thoughts and anxiety. These distorted scenarios and versions of reality can affect one’s self-esteem, due to the constant nature of lavish lifestyles that can make one feel inadequate or unsuccessful when compared to attractive celebrities/people. 

Moreover, the participants on these shows do not always portray their true selves, letting producers manipulate events to create conflict in shows. As a result, viewers may get influenced to engage in negative personas themselves or create drama. 

Lastly, celebrity culture can be alluring and addictive, making people want to obsess over them or to be like them. They may value expensive items even if they can't afford them, leading to lowered motivation and aspiration for themselves. 

Certain reality shows may have positive effects and influence you to try new activities, however, other shows can influence you negatively. All in all, it's essential to prioritize your mental health and be conscious of what you consume when watching reality TV.

Source: https://washburnreview.org/42994/features/reality-tv-distorts-peoples-perception-of-true-reality/

Answer 6

It is very true that reality TV can be bad for your mental health. TV in general can cause emotional stress. However, this is a very situational claim and therefore cannot be proven true or false. Some viewers may be completely unaffected by watching reality TV, while others may be negatively effected.

https://www.unitedwecare.com/the-reality-show-affects-your-mental-health/

Answer 7

Reality tv shows cause more harm than good to their audience because the lifestyles of the people in the show are unrealistic. A lot of reality shows involve celebrities and other rich people that live a more lavish lifestyle than most of their viewers. This might cause the audience to make comparisons due to unrealistic standards for success and beauty.

https://www.unitedwecare.com/the-reality-show-affects-your-mental-health/

Answer 8

Although many instances of reality TV being bad for your mental health exist, it is still an opinion that cannot be considered fact.

https://www.unitedwecare.com/the-reality-show-affects-your-mental-health/ claims that your mental health can be negatively affected and that it's important to watch it minimally.

On the other side, https://www.ruanliving.com/blog/%2Fimpact-reality-shows-younger-generation explains that certain reality shows can be "educational, inspiring, and motivational for children to watch."

All in all, it comes down to how each person chooses how they consume reality television.

Answer 9

I'd say this claim is more of an opinion, in some cases this may be true but not all reality tv is the same, therefore what you choose to watch would affect you differently. In the case that an individual is watching reality tv that has to do with dating and body image, this may affect someones mental health a bit more than if someone were to watch a cooking show. "The lack of body diversity in the shows create a sense of shame in the viewers, leading to mental health problems."

https://www.unitedwecare.com/the-reality-show-affects-your-mental-health/

Answer 10

There are several different negative links between reality TV and mental health. The United We Care website has an informational page about the effects of realty TV on a person. They say that one of the biggest problems with reality TV is that it promotes comparison between the average person and the person on the TV show. If a person believes they do not measure up to those they are comparing themselves to, they might have feelings of shame and sadness. Reality TV can cause people to stop appreciating what they have and start chasing for something bigger and better. Overall, there is a strong correlation between reality TV and bad mental health that has been proven over several different studies.