Violence on TV

Is violence on television always bad? How can you recognize a television program or movie that might be harmful to your child? How can you determine if the programs are appropriate for your children?

The following checklist, based on studies of typical violent television programs, will help you answer some of those questions. Complete the checklist while watching a prime-time television serial or a movie. The more statements you check, the less appropriate that particular show, and others like it, may be for your child.

• Does violence drive the storyline? Yes / No
  • In this program, there wouldn't be much of a story without the violence.
  • In this program, the hero is never safe (or never seems to feel safe).
  • The violent acts seem to be a showcase for special effects by the media makers.
  • It would be difficult to sum up what happens in this program without describing at least one act of violence.
• Does the violence portrayed include the real-life consequences? Yes / No
  • The leading "good guy" character in the story survives the episode with few serious injuries.
  • When people die in this program, they seem to simply disappear.
  • No one is shown mourning when a person is killed or seriously injured.
• Does the story describe a world of all good and all bad? Yes / No
  • The "good guys" in this story have few bad qualities.
  • The "bad guys" in this story have few good qualities.
  • The "good guys" are, in some way, the "winners" in this program.
  • The "bad guys" seem to have no family or friends who will care if they get hurt.
• If you were a child, what lessons about the world might you learn from the program you just watched?

Source: Taking Charge of Your TV, A Guide to Critical Viewing for Parents and Children, developed in cooperation with the National Parent Teacher Association, National Cable Television Association, and Cable In The Classroom.

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