Children’s Programming: History and Policy - Extra Credit

    What causes a child to become violent? Or what can affect a child’s violent actions? A problem that has been debated for almost half a century is violence in TV; but, more specifically, violence within children’s programming. During the 1960’s the issue of violence in society was examined. Television was indicated as part of this problem of violence. The reported that the impacts television had on children was perceptions of reality, social relationship, health, and education. Certain guidelines were set in 1974 for children’s television such as a limit of nine and a half advertising minutes per hour in children’s program, host selling was eliminated, and much more. However, networks weren’t following these requirement. More bans and regulations were made, but not many have been kept. Commercials that advertised sugar commercials were even banned for children! Many action groups tried to focus on eliminating television violence and gaining education for the public in television shows. A device that changed children’s television that was created in 1996 was the “v-chip”. This “v-chip” monitored television depending on the ratings of different shows and movies. Families had the ability to block certain ratings from the TV with the use of this chip. It’s shown that throughout the history of television programming, many restriction and regulation have been made and attempted. Some of these rules are still in use to this day, but not all. A quote that I believe sums up television encounters with our society is: “The special place of children in human societies assures, however, that the concerns that have surrounded their interaction with television will remain central, even if they are shifted to new and different media.” -Allison Alexander

    Although some television, to this day, can show violence and can lack education for our children, I believe that this depends on what parents open their kids to. For example, with the v-ship, we’re able to monitor what’s being shows on our televisions for our children. What we expose our children to is a big effect on what they learn and take in. I love Allison Alexander’s quote near the end of this exert because it portrays what our society is really like. There will always be encounter we’ll have to face. As technology advances, so does the good and bad factors of technology. These interactions will remain, it all just depends how we handle these interactions.