ABSTRACT
Startling statistics have been reported on the number of violent incidents on television to which children are exposed and the level of violence in the video games so many children and adolescents love. Viewers are likely to see violence in two out of three programs they watch, regardless of time of day of viewing (Smith, Nathanson, & Wilson, 2002). Assuming 2 to 4 hours of viewing a day, by the time children finish elementary school, they will have seen 8,000 murders and 100,000 other violent acts (Donnerstein, Slaby, & Eron, 1994). Sixty-one percent of TV programs have some violence, 75% show no immediate punishment, and 43% of violent scenes involve humor (Smith & Donnerstein, 1998). Donnerstein et al. (1994) maintained that the level of television violence had remained fairly constant over the past two decades, although cable television has added to it. They say most of the violence is presented without context or judgment about its acceptability, and most morning and early afternoon violence is seen by children.
