Parents
Cite Media as Factor in Societal Violence
Variety Daily Posted
Wed., January 9, 2013
By. Ted Johnson
A
new survey conducted in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting rampage
shows that parents overwhelmingly believe that violence in TV, movies and
videogames contributes to violence overall, with a majority saying that the
prevalence of mayhem in the media makes it difficult to shield their children
from such images.
The
survey, conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Common Sense Media and the Center
for American Progress, showed that parents were split on the question of
whether violence in videogames is a "major" or "minor"
problem. Although parents said that the current voluntary movie and videogame
ratings allowed them to make informed decisions about violent content, they also
were in favor of limiting when ads for graphic videogames and movies can air
and be shown in theaters.
The
survey, conducted Jan. 4-5, was of 1,050 parents who have a child under the age
of 18 living at home.
Respondents
were asked whether a series of items "contributes to violence in the
United States." Topping the list was "lack of supervision of
children," with 93%, followed by bullying, 92%; "crime in day to day
life," 86%; violence in TV and movies, 77%; "easy access to guns,'
75%; "violence in videogames," 75%; and violent toys, 64%.
The
survey showed that 75% of parents found shielding their children from violence
"difficult." After shown an ad for the videogame "Hitman:
Absolution," 84% of parents deemed it "not appropriate" to air
the spot when children were watching TV. Some 63% said the same when shown a
trailer for the film "Gangster Squad."
Common
Sense Media, an parental advocacy org, cited the survey results in a letter to
Vice President Joseph Biden, who is scheduled to meet Thursday evening with
representatives from entertainment and later in the week with representatives
from the videogame business.
Common
Sense Media CEO James Steyer used the results to bolster the org's call for
limits on marketing of violent material.
He
outlined a series of proposals in his letter, including a voluntary moratorium
on all advertising for violent videogames and violent movie trailers during
programming when children are watching.
He
also is calling for legislation that would give the FCC authority to restrict
the marketing of violent videogames, movies trailers and promotions when
children are watching, as well as a more prominent display of movie, TV and
videogame ratings on marketing materials. Another proposal calls for the
Federal Trade Commission to require that the gun industry reveal all product
placements and tie-ins with the videogame industry.
Read the original publication here.
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