From: To: A16.A16(kidstv) Date: 10/15/95 11:03pm Secretary, Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street N.W. Washington DC 20554 It has become apparent in society today that children are spending considerable time in front of a television set. A child watches approximately 19,000 hours of TV before graduating high school (US News & World Report, August 2, 1993). While this growing trend in TV watching spreads, everyone should question the long term effects of all of this television on our children. Many parents, experts, teachers, and doctors argue that enormous TV consumption is detrimental to a child's growth and development. I, on the other hand tend to argue that TV has become a huge part of a child's life. Children learn morals, family values, and the ability to discern between right and wrong. Without a child's escape into a fantastical world, the often harsh and dangerous reality can become overwhelming. Critics of violence in children's television, place blame on parents for not spending enough time with their children or for letting the TV "baby-sit" them. I find these critics completely unjust. As the number of one parent households skyrockets, the parents lose partial responsibility of their children. I believe society should pick up some of the parenting aspects that are so hard to find in every family. Television needs to reflect society's influence on children rationally and within reason. I acknowledge the lack of censorship of violent acts in television but I don't think that preventing viewing is the answer as shown in many inner city homes. Telling kids to go outside and play doesn't hold up when outside, drive by shootings are common, drugs flow as easily as sewage, and guns are hidden in every pocket and handbag. Suddenly, an afternoon spent inside with Bugs Bunny seems harmless, and it is. I believe violence has become a part of our society. It has infiltrated our schools, street corners, and now our homes. It's appearance in cartoons is not a recent occurrence. Violence in television is merely a reflection of society. As long as we keep it from controlling and dictating our lives, we shouldn't lay blame with the parents who are trying to keep their families safe. The first step to facing violence as a societal problem is to join together. Violence is a problem the whole country must confront as a group. We must stop blaming parents, teachers, and children's television. The entire country needs to approach the street violence that keeps those children inside and in front of the television. Sincerely, Aimee Ravacon Ithaca College School of Communications