Final Answer:
Yes, television can have a detrimental effect on society, evident from the correlation between excessive TV viewing in children and poor academic performance, as well as decreased reading habits compared to non-TV watching children.
Explanation:
The argument here presents two pieces of evidence to support the premise that television negatively impacts society. Firstly, it highlights the correlation between excessive television consumption and poor school performance among children. Let's consider this in a logical sequence: Children who watch significant amounts of television tend to perform poorly in school. While correlation doesn't always imply causation, excessive screen time can indeed detract from study time and cognitive development, impacting academic achievement. For instance, if a child spends six hours a day watching TV instead of engaging in educational activities or homework, it can certainly hinder their learning progress.
Secondly, the argument points out that children watching over six hours of television daily tend to read less compared to those who don't watch TV. Reading is crucial for cognitive development and language skills. If children are spending excessive time in front of screens, it's plausible that they're allocating less time to reading. This lack of reading may hinder their language acquisition, vocabulary development, and overall cognitive abilities, contributing to a decline in academic performance.
The argument doesn't explicitly establish a direct causal relationship between television and these effects, but it effectively suggests a correlation. While there could be other contributing factors to consider, the evidence provided does indicate a noteworthy pattern between excessive television consumption and negative impacts on children's academic performance and reading habits.