From: Sheryl Segal To: kidstv Date: 2/13/96 8:57am >>> uid no body 02/12/96 07:33pm >>> Reply-to: jerryr@tellabs.com (Jerome P. Richmond, Jr.) Subject: Kids At LOC Jerome P. Richmond, Jr. (jerryr@tellabs.com) writes: Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback concerning Children's Television. As a parent of three school age children, I am deeply concerned over a number of issues that affect my children via the media. Chief among these media is the television set. It would be difficult to adequately assess the impact television has upon our children. Therefore, I think it is wise for all concerned parents to consider judicious use of this method of communication. Violence: there is too much violence on television these days. From the actual shows to the commercials that advertise them we are constantly bombarded with people hurting other people. Children cannot be expected to absorb this type of message day after day and not become detached emotionally from the suffering of others. One of the chief reasons juvenile crime is on the rise (serious juvenile crime!) is because children are being desensitized to other people's feelings and rights. Immorality: Adults living 40 years ago would be unbelievably shocked by the things that are common place on today's television set. The only reason we do not all ready have child pornograph on television is because that is where society CURRENTLY draws the line. But how long will that last ? History shows that society and the ever important quest for freedom of expression continues to degrade the morals of our culture. Television, being a direct expression of that culture, reflects the upcoming if not current views of society. In fact, it may be largely responsible for shaping the future in that area. Language: Why has this been relaxed over the years ? Why do we now find it acceptable to listen to an onslaught of perverse and vulgar speech ? The FCC has long administered against such behavior. So, why in the last 10 years has it suddenly taken a leave of absense in controlling this vulgar-a-thon. If we want our children to grow up with a different vocabulary then we must not immerse them in such media. I favor the new chip that has been suggested for installation in TV's for the purpose of allowing parents the right to control the influx of adverse material into their homes. We need a mechanism other than the channel changer or off/on button. There have been many times in my own home where I simply was not fast enough to eliminate offensive material. If I understand the design of this new product correctly, it could provide the timely action that I desire and prevent my children from viewing information that I prefer they not see or hear. Yes, indeed I want to see a change in Children's Television! I want to see it return to a format that is entertaining, enjoyable, offers some educational benefit and doesn't hold up the minorities of perverse, vulgar and indecent behavior as role models and stereotypes. And along the way, let's limit the highly unfair and downright falsehood based advertising that goes on in the media today. The toys and other things children see on television do not actually work or behave in the manner in which they are portrayed. If the advertiser does include a disclaimer to that affect, it is usually in the smallest type font available and lasts for no more than a few seconds at best; in fact you might even consider it subliminal due to its lack of impact. How can young impressionable children separate fact from fantasy when they see the exaggerated claims made by advertisers ? Once the ENVIRONMENT of television is made a safe place for children, THEN parents can profitably begin to address the issues of what types of material would improve the quality of television for children. It is a medium so rich in technical capability but it is being exploited for the wrong purposes. Instead of graphically demonstrating someone's head exploading at point blank range from a shotgun blast, let's use the technology to take our children on a virtual reality tour of the seven wonders of the world or on a space ship trip to Mars or the next solar system. Why should television continue to live BENEATH its promise ? Years ago, a common societal sense of decency would have prevented this type of polution from cluttering the TV spectrum. Today, it seems (no disrespect intended) that the FCC is becoming powerless to control the RF propagated media. I hope this is not the case but it seems so more and more each day. As an Amateur Radio operator I am also concerned with the type of filth that goes on over our frequencies as well; which includes everything from vulgar, indecent language (in Morse code as well as single sideband) and pornography sent over slow/fast scan television frequencies. Surely the FCC needs to act to clean up this most valuable of mediums, the RF Spectrum, to make it the decent and wholesome profitable environment that it should be. I am not alone when I say that as a parent, I find more and more that I am much more willing to shell out money for software for our home computer and see my children learn in a carefully controlled and trusted environment than I am to allow them to spin the television channel changer roulette wheel to see what presents itself to them next! I have heard many other parents echo these same feelings. Soon, the parents themselves may find their home computer a safer and more profitiable place to spend their time rather than risk the ravages of television. Yes, I know the Internet is a mess too but it reflects the already low standards that were first fostered onto society by television. Television can be a wonderful tool. It is up to us to decide what its future holds. Jerome P. Richmond, Jr. email: jerryr@tellabs.com OR wb5prv@aol.com p.s. I would like to retain a copy of this memo to send on to other concerned parties. However, I was unable to copy my memo in my Web browser, so if you have the time and are willing to do so, I would appreciate your bouncing a copy back to me. Again, thank you for considering my point of view and for trying to improve the media of television for our children. It will be their heritage. ------------------------------------------------------------ Server protocol: HTTP/1.0 Remote host: sunn225.bb.tellabs.com Remote IP address: 138.111.94.25