Photo IDs for R-Rated Movies: A First Step

by Alvin Poussaint, M.D. and Susan Linn, Ed.D.

We applaud the news that young people attending R-rated movies will be required to show photo I.D.s documenting that they are over seventeen. This is a small, but important step in addressing issues of media violence in our culture. The risks faced by children who watch violent films meant for adults are as real as the risks faced by children exposed to alcohol, tobacco, or physical abuse.

Research demonstrates clearly that there are links between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior. Equally concerning is the evidence that -- through exposure to television and film violence -- children begin to normalize it. They can become desensitized to violent acts and to the victims of violence. Finally, exposure to media violence increases children's appetite for more violence in entertainment and in real life.

The requirement for picture I.D.s demonstrating proof of age is only a beginning. More needs to be done:

• Enforcing the age limits is going to be problematic in multiplex movie cinemas: Kids under seventeen can buy tickets to a G-rated film and use it to go see an R-rated movie. Some complexes, but certainly not all, have personnel posted at each theater.

• The rating system needs to be revised to differentiate between violence, explicit sexuality, and language.

• Parents should not be allowed to bring young children into theaters to see R-rated movies. Witnessing explicit violence can be profoundly disturbing for young children. Just as there are laws prohibiting the sale of cigarettes and alcohol to minors, Congress should enact legislation that prevents children under thirteen from being admitted to R-rated movies at all.

• A picture ID should be required for renting R-rated movies from video stores.

• Since R-rated movies are shown on television, parents need to be vigilant about their children's television viewing as well.

Meanwhile, parents and educators need to keep asking policy makers and media executives two important questions:

• Why are R-rated movies currently marketed during television and radio programs that target younger teens?

• Why are violent toys associated with movies rated R and PG13 marketed in toy stores as appropriate for children as young as five?

Parents need to be responsible for setting and enforcing clear limits for children about their access to violence in all forms of media, including film, television, video games and music. But given the depth and breadth of media violence to which children are exposed, legislators and media executives need to address these issues as well.

More on: Understanding Teen Entertainment