Question and Answer

The children who play with my kids in the neighborhood are familiar with terrible programs on television and cable. I can't believe that their parents let them watch such violent and sexualized stuff. What is the long-term consequence of this programming on children?

It is sad and very difficult to understand why so many parents fail to supervise what their kids watch. To those who let them watch anything they wish, I would pose this proposition: Suppose a complete stranger came to your door and said, "You look tired. Why don't you let me take care of your children for a day or two?" I doubt if many of you would say, "Great idea. Come on in." 1

That's a story Peggy Charren, president of Action for Children's Television, likes to tell. Her point is well taken. When we sit our children in front of the television set, we're giving control over them to complete strangers; and more and more, that's a risky thing to do. An increasing number of studies have found that violence on television frequently leads to later aggressive behavior by children and teenagers.

One of the most conclusive studies was conducted by Dr. Leonard D. Aaron. He examined a group of children at age 8 and then again at 19 and finally at 30. Children in the United States, Australia, Finland, Israel and Poland were studied. The outcome was the same; the more frequently the participants watched violent television at age 8, the more likely they were to be convicted of crimes by age 30, and the more aggressive was their behavior when drinking.2

It's time for parents to control the amount and the content of television that their children are watching. The consequences of not doing so can be catastrophic.

1 TV Guide, 22-28 August 1992.
2 TV Guide, 22-28 August 1992.

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