Submitted on: February 27, l997
The American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 53,000 pediatricians, offers this statement on behalf of the children and adolescents of this country. The level of violence to which they are exposed through the media has reached such horrific proportions, health professionals, parents, legislators and educators agree that something has to be done. The problem of violence on television may not appear as compelling or as urgent as immunizations, the risk of AIDS for adolescents or the need for health insurance for all children. However, in terms of overall childhood morbidity and mortality, it breeds so many problems in our society that child health experts are very concerned. Although no one holds television responsible as the sole instigator of violence, the influence of television is a factor. The American Academy of Pediatrics states without hesitation that televised violence has a clear and reproducible effect on the behavior of children (see attached policy statement).
Televised violence contributes to the unwholesome social environment in which we live, the frequency with which violence is used to resolve conflict, and the passivity with which violence is perceived. Both epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated a clear relationship in children between the viewing of televised violence and violent or aggressive behavior.
V-CHIP
Ultimately, parents are the ones who are responsible for monitoring what their children and adolescents see on television. Pediatricians advise parents to monitor their children's consumption of all media closely and to limit total television viewing to no more than 1 to 2 hours per day. Until last year, the only alternative that existed for parents when it came to violent programming -- which is aired at all times of the day -- was turning off the television, and that only succeeded if the parent was home at the time. Now, as a result of the Telecommunications Act of l996 (P.L. 104-104), parents have a new tool to control what television shows their children are exposed to: the v-chip. This device, which when installed blocks what parents deem to be objectionable programming, is just one part of an overall solution to children's exposure to television, including violence. It is still vitally important for broadcasters to develop and air educational and instructional programming for children and what was once called "family fare." The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends broadcasters air a minimum of one hour of educational programming per day in prime children's viewing time.
TV RATING SYSTEM
As you know, the v-chip can't function unless television programs carry a rating. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated frequently that an effective television rating system should be content-based to offer parents guidance on a program's level of sex, violence and language. The age-based system in use now by the industry does not meet this goal. It does not empower parents since it does not provide objective, nonjudgmental information for the parent to decide what's appropriate for their child.
In fact, their system evokes many questions. Who determines what is a children's program? What is the content coding system to be employed in rating? What determines quality control measures to ensure uniformity? The fact that similar shows, such as David Letterman and Jay Leno have received different ratings is evidence that there is nothing in place to ensure uniformity. The vast majority of primetime shows have been rated TV-PG or TV-14, regardless of content. A recent episode of NYPD-Blue, rated TV-14, dealt with auto-erotic asphyxiation and contained nudity. It was a show few, if any, parents would deem suitable for a 15-year-old. Profane language, ranging from the use of "bastard" "ass" and "bitch" flow from characters' mouths between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. A TV-PG or TV-14 rating icon in the upper left hand corner for 15 seconds in no way reflects such content. Informal conversations pediatricians have had with parents reveal that although the system is a good idea in principle, they often don't know what the icon means and frequently don't see it when they turn on the television. If you tune in after the first 15 seconds, there is no indication as to the show's rating.
Eight medical and health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, are urging the television industry to accompany the on-screen rating icons, such as TV-PG and TV-14, with their corresponding descriptive content information to specify the type of violence, sexual material and profanity in every rated program. This is already being accomplished by the cable industry, which has taken the process one step further by also offering specifics on the actual amount of objectionable material included in each program.
In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics believes that parents and child development experts, not just industry representatives, should serve on the oversight monitoring board. If parents are the very audience a rating system is designed to help, they deserve the power to make suggestions and changes.
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM (Line 21)
It is imperative that no regulatory or legislative limits be created that would preclude the technological opportunity for an alternative system to be broadcast in addition to the industry's rating system should the public desire a choice in the future.
EDUCATION
Pediatricians have a key role in educating children and parents about television and all its aspects, for the very reasons that were stated in the beginning of this statement. In regards to the rating system, it is important to have parents understand why such a system is needed, to make any rating system useful to parents, and to make sure the system is placed prominently in print and broadcast mediums. Television guides in most areas have yet to print any explanation of the industry's current rating system and the icons.
CONCLUSION
The Communications Act declares that broadcast airwaves belong to the American public. Broadcast licenses cede "free and exclusive use" of the airwaves for a fixed period of time, but in return they are required to serve the "public interest, convenience and necessity." Together, we can and should do better when it comes to developing a rating system that meets the public's needs.
AAP policy statement attachments: Media Violence and Children, Adolescents and Television
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization
of 53,000 pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety and
well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young
adults.
