From: To: A16.A16(KIDSTV) Date: 10/7/95 11:08am Subject: RE TV VIOLENCE AND CHILDREN Dear Sir or Madam, My name is Cara LaDouceur and I am a freshman at Ithaca College. Recently in my introduction to mass media class we have begun discussing the topic of television violence and its effect on children. In order to become more informed of the problems which exist, I have read various articles surrounding the topic. In response I have drawn my own conclusions and possible solutions to the ever-growing dilemma of television violence. In my opinion, the problem can not be solved through the application of just one answer, but instead must be a coordination of efforts. To begin with, I feel that the media needs to reevaluate its programs, and consider the general public more often. Many times a program is shown because of the revenue it will draw, while the effects of its content are left in the shadows of a capitalistic based organization. An example of this is the topic of gangs. Although it is important to inform the public of gang activoty, all to often it is done in a glamorizing light. "To refer to gang members by their street nicknames and indetify them by the colors they fly is to bloster their egos and give them respect in the streets"(July 24,1995, Boston Globe). In the eyes of a child, who may watch a made for television movie, based on gang life this type of portrayal may leave them believing that gangs lead an exciting life and that their actions are accepted by society. This is just one of the many violent groups displayed day after day on sitcoms, movies, and even cartoons. Children often receive their initial exposure to society through television. If this dramatized perception appears real to them, and instills fear, or worse, anger, then something must change. A man by the name of Luntz found in a recent survey that 3/4 of children and 2/3 of adults feel that televsion promotes bad habits, or misinterpreted ideas of society. In response Luntz said, "This is something that Hollywood can't ignore. It's not [just] parents talking about their children. It's kids talking about themselves"(June 23, 1995, The Washington Times). At this point, when television violence is a problem children can even detect then it is past due that broadcasters and media take a stand and make a change. I believe that the best way in which to do this is to interact with the viewers. A way to do this is to label shows or rate them accordingly, and to broadcast clips at the beginning and the ending of programs, stating the extent of reality that the show is based on. I don't feel that cutting violence out is the solution, I do , however, feel that the format in which it is depicted should be modified. Just as a movie at the cinema is rated, so should questionable programming. In response to this parents can decide what is in their children's best interest, before viewing it. In the cases where parents are not present during a child's viewing time, a child would be informed that "television violence is not the same as "real-life" violence... [and may] represent a particular view, [but it may not always be a view that a person should base their actions on]"(June 21, 1995, Washington Post). The efforts of medis to change, however, can not be the sole solution to the problem. Parents must also make an effort to teach their children right from wrong and help them to interpret what they see on television in the right context. "The message is, we in the media are not the problem, you the viewer are the problem. If you just change the way you look at television, things will be okay," the co-director of the Washington-based Center for Media Education instructs(June 21, 1995, Washington Post). Although I do not agree that media is not somewhat to blame, I do agree that it is just as much the job of parents as it is of the media to change. If a parent teaches a child morals and values the television is not as influential to the child's mind-frame or decision making process. With this in mind the media needs to assist parents with techniques to follow a new approach to child rearing. Although there has been a movement which teaches "media literacy" it is not yet a wide spread program. "Just as consumer education seeks to teach people to be discerning in what they buy, media literacy claims to equip viewers with the skills to make informed decisions about what they and their children watch on TV"(June 21, 1995, Washington Post). Some tips which are included in this are: "Set guidlines for selecting programs, make TV watching an interactive, family event, and decide how much TV your family wil watch( June 21, 1995, Washington Post). All of these are wonderful ideas, but the program has not you grown to its full potential. More "media literacy" programs should be formed so that a greater population of people can use them to their advantage. With the help of the media the public can then learn to "outsmart [their] TVs." I am hopeful that my views will be of some help to the FCC. I commend the Commission for its concern surrounding television violence and hope that in the future it will become less of a threat to society. Sincerely, Cara LaDouceur Ithaca College RM 318, Landon Hall 953 Danby Road Ithaca, NY, 14850-7218 CC: FCCMAIL.SMTP("MASSMEDIA@LIBER.ITHACA.EDU")