The Effects of Television Violence on Children Presentation by: Jolene Goh, Rinda Yamashiro & Jamie Dos Santos

How many people own a TV set? 99% of American households have at least 1 TV set. –54% of children have a TV set in their rooms

How much TV kids watch? The average American child watches 3-5 hours a day. –Which means 28 hours a week.

Violent content 57% of TV program contain violence Children programming contains 5 times more violence than prime time television. 25% of violent acts involve handguns Children’s TV shows contain about 20 violent acts each hour

Time of day children are most likely to watch TV Saturday morning cartoon. Before they go to school. After school.

Children... can ’ t tell what is real from fiction - lack of real-life experience - believe what they see are visual learners - they imitate what they see

How does TV violence mislead children? Violence is often rewarded and seldom has negative consequences. - 73% of perpetrators on TV are unpunished (National Television Violence Study, 1992) - Heroes are rarely unpunished - no bleeding, no one gets hurt - people killed just disappear

Violence is everywhere. “ mean world syndrome ” (Gurbner), violence or abuse is everywhere there is no good in this world Violence is justified. violence by “ good guys ” is justified and heroic a particular character gets beaten up because he is a “bad guy ” Violence is funny. much cartoon violence used as comic effect it ’ s ok and no big deal for somebody to be smacked in the head with a hammer

Four effects of media violence (by Ronald Slaby) an aggressor effect encourages violent behavior accepting violence as a way to solve problem a victim effect increasing fearfulness perceives “culture of meanness ”

a bystander effect leads to callousness accepting violence as normal dulls the emotion response to violence and its victim an appetite effect builds a desire to watch more violence

Other effects long-range effects (Leonard Eron) many hours of television view in elementary school lead higher level of aggressiveness behavior in teenage years children who watched a lot of TV when they were eight years old were more likely to be arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts when they become adults (observed the children until they were 30)

CONCLUSION How to rectify the situation –Movie/Show rating on TV TVY TVY7 TVG TVPG TV14 TVMA

V-chip In 1996 Congress requires television manufacture to install “V-chips” into new sets. Helps parents monitor children viewing

What parents can do... Talk to your children explain to them what they are seeing/experiencing watch at least one episode of the programs that your children watch outright ban any programs that are too offensive limit viewing hours encourage child to spend time on sports hobbies or with their friends draw up enjoyable activities

Any Questions?