Is TV Violence Going Too Far?

Behavior is often more aggressive after kids watch programs containing violence

The television networks have been issuing age-appropriate ratings for more than a year. While the rating system may provide some assurance to parents, the fact is, there is more violence on the tube than ever.

Sixty-five percent of shows aired during prime time on the networks and basic cable contain violence; that's up from 50 percent in 1997. Pay cable fares even worse with 92 percent.

But there's more to the issue than firearms, fast cars and fiery explosions. Today, the good guy is often behind the violence. Experts say this "glamorizes" the character, who often shows no realization of the long-term consequences of violent actions.

"Watching TV violence desensitizes children to the violence they see," says Bradley Hospital psychologist Allan Brenman, PhD. "It now takes more intense graphic content to shock viewers." There's also evidence that behavior is often more aggressive after kids watch programs containing violence.

What's a parent to do?

Always monitor what your children watch on TV and discuss troubling scenes with them. And when mom and dad are away, there's always the "channel block"-a lock-out device offered free of charge by local cable companies.

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