From: To: A16.A16(KIDSTV) Date: 10/13/95 9:33am Ithaca College 953 Danby Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 October 5, 1995 Secretary, Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street N.W. Washington DC 20554 To Whom It May Concern: ChildrenUs television has changed drastically since my parents were kids. When my family sits down at the dinner table and the discussion of childrenUs violence on TV comes up there are many different things to be said. My parents grew up on RLeave it to Beaver,S RI Love LucyS those kind of shows. I grew up on RThe Muppet Show,S and RSesame Street.S Now its 1995 and my four brothers and sisters, ranging from five to eight years of age,are growing up watching RMighty Morphin-Power Rangers,S and RTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.S You donUt have to be a rocket scientist t realize the difference in content of these various programs. There is a rather direct comparison to the rise in violence of television shows in the years and the rise in the crime rate. ItUs a known fact that children donUt have the money to spend on educational programs for themselves; therefore, the producers of these violent shows are producing them because its cheaper than spending the money on educational programs. So you ask yourself, why do these producers originate these shows if there is such a negative effect on the children? ItUs like their purposely sucking these children into an abyss of violence. The children that are watching these programs will someday be our leaders. These kids see these forcible TV shows and not all children are mentally advance enough to realize that whats going on during the shows is fake. These kids think that this is what really goes on in the American society. Yet the fact that I find most interesting is that these producers just keep on producing. Yeah the bucks are rolling in, why should they stop. Are these producers thinking ethically? In my mind they canUt possibly be. It amazes me how many people there are in this country that find money to be the most precious value of all. The shows are still going to be aired but why can't they be made with less violence? They could substitute the idea of friendship, caring or any other positive impression in every place they have acts of violence. I would love to see a show like that. At first sure kids would laugh and mock it, but after awhile it would become second nature. The programs would basically cost the same and yet the message portrayed would make a world of a difference. I know my ideas will be just one of many. I just ask that you look at all the consequences that lie ahead, and make the choices that will have the best possible outcome. Sincerely, Kelli Coppola Student of I.C. Age: 18 CC: FCCMAIL.SMTP("MASSMEDIA@LIBER.ITHACA.EDU")