A JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC WRITING VOLUME 8

other children in the room with them, are shown things they
cannot touch and are usually commanded to watch a program
perhaps not to his or her liking, leaving the child feeling
frustrated, angry and not in control. When children elect to
watch television in their home, it is because they want to. They
are usually in control of the programming being viewed and
can enjoy it in a relaxed and safe environment. Whereas in the
laboratory setting, the programming is chosen by someone
else, the viewer is not in control, and the experience can be
uncomfortable and unsatisfying. 16 Is it the television program
being viewed that makes a child aggressive or is it the situation
of being in the laboratory with feelings of frustration and anger,
that lead to aggressive behavior? Evidence shows that exposure
to television whether it is short or for prolonged periods has
immediate and long term effects on children regardless of the
setting or surroundings when watching. It is the act of viewing
and what is being viewed that has been known to cause these
negative effects and not so much the place of viewing.
The effects of television on children is not only a concern
in America, this has long been a topic of concern in the United
Kingdom as well. The International Television Commission
(ITC) agrees that, “children can learn harmful behaviour from
the television.” 17
In conclusion, evidence supports that the effects of
television viewing on children are harmful, through both
immediate and long-term negative effects. Children should
be encouraged to play outside, take up a sport, read a book,
and engage in creative thinking. Families can spend more time
together, playing games, cooking or doing a building project. 18
Parents need to take it upon themselves to limit television
exposure and seek out quality programming for their children
and view it with them whenever possible. 19
16 Jib Fowles, “From Violence Viewing and Science.” in Taking Sides:
Clashing Views in Mass Media and Society, ed. Alison Alexander and
Jarice Hanson (2008), 41.
17 Deans, Jason. “ITC admits kids can learn harmful behaviour from TV.”
Guardian, November 6, 2000, http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2000/
nov/06/broadcasting1.
18 ohnson 7, 8.
19 Media Awareness Network. The Good Things About Television, http://
www.media- awareness.ca/english/parents/television/good_things_
tv.cfm?RenderForPrint=1.
Table 1
(Source: http://www.fcc.gov/parents/parent_guide.html)
TV-Y (All Children -- This program is designed to be
appropriate for all children.) Whether animated or liveaction,
the themes and elements in this program are
specifically designed for a very young audience, including
children from ages 2-6. This program is not expected to
frighten younger children.
TV-Y7 (Directed to Older Children -- This program
is designed for children age 7 and above.) It may be
more appropriate for children who have acquired the
developmental skills needed to distinguish between makebelieve
and reality. Themes and elements in this program
may include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may
frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may
wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very
young children. Note: For those programs where fantasy
violence may be more intense or more combative than other
programs in this category, such programs will be designated
TV-Y7-FV. For programs designed for the entire audience,
the general categories are:
TV-G (General Audience -- Most parents would find this
program suitable for all ages.) Although this rating does
not signify a program designed specifically for children,
most parents may let younger children watch this program
unattended. It contains little or no violence, no strong
language and little or no sexual dialogue or situations.
TV-PG (Parental Guidance Suggested -- This program
contains material that parents may find unsuitable for
younger children.) Many parents may want to watch it with
their younger children. The theme itself may call for parental
guidance and/or the program contains one or more of the
following: moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S),
infrequent coarse language (L), or some suggestive dialogue
(D).
TV-14 (Parents Strongly Cautioned -- This program
contains some material that many parents would find
unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.) Parents are
strongly urged to exercise greater care in monitoring this
program and are cautioned against letting children under
the age of 14 watch unattended. This program contains
one or more of the following: intense violence (V), intense
sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), or intensely
suggestive dialogue (D).
TV-MA (Mature Audience Only -- This program is
specifically designed to be viewed by adults and therefore
may be unsuitable for children under 17.) This program
contains one or more of the following: graphic violence (V),
explicit sexual activity (S), or crude indecent language (L).
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