Ways to Eliminate Media Violence

It is difficult to eliminate media violence, but it is possible to limit violent media at home.

Media violence is disturbing to many people. Graphic depictions of murders, war and crimes worry many observers. The primary difficulty with trying to eliminate violence in video games, computer games, movies and television shows is that the first amendment protects most violent speech, largely because no causal links between violent media and violent behavior have been proven scientifically. Obscenity does have some limits, especially as it may be viewed by children, but violence has very few limitations.

V-Chip

Since violence cannot be eliminated from media through legal or regulatory channels in the United States, those wishing to eliminate violence from media need to do so personally. One industry self-regulatory tool that helps eliminate violent media from particular households is the V-Chip. This device has been required by the FCC on televisions larger than 13 inches since July 1, 2000. The V-chip can be programmed by a television set's users to block shows from being seen on the set based on the voluntary rating given the show by its producers. Shows may be rated TV-Y, for all children, TV-Y7 for children over the age of 7, TV-G, appropriate for all children and families, TV-PG, for programming that may be too violent or intense for young children to watch alone, TV-14 for programs that may be too intense for children under 14, and TV-MA for shows designed specifically for mature audiences and not for children. V-Chips can be complicated to program and few parents are aware of their existence. Additionally, the self-imposed ratings are not always accurate, however, V-Chips are a way to eliminate violence in television media in the home.

Lobbying Sponsors

Since the media in the United States is an advertising-funded business, lobbying sponsors can help decrease the violence in media. Complaints about violence in a television show, even a cable television show, can prompt sponsors to pressure the show's producers to limit the graphic nature of violence in a show or move the show to a later time slot when fewer young people will be exposed to it. Sponsors may respond by withdrawing its financial support for a show, which can lead to a show's producer changing the content in order to regain the sponsor. However, this technique is not always successful. It does require a large effort to be effective, and success will likely depend on having well-known and respected groups join the lobbying effort.

Lobbying Media Groups

Although it is not often effective, especially in a successful movie, game or television franchise, groups who oppose violence in media can lobby the producers of particular shows in an attempt to get them to reduce the violent content. There is a large group of viewers and game players who like violence, however, so it is difficult to convince a media producer to eliminate violence if it is a financial success.

Selective Viewing

The most effective way of eliminating violence in media is self-selecting less violent media choices. While it can be difficult, limiting childrens' access to violent video games, computer games, movies and television remains the best way parents can eliminate media violence. The same applies to an adult who wants to limit media violence in his own viewing. First, check the ratings of each piece of media before viewing. Even if the rating is acceptable, read reviews from trusted sources before buying or viewing a piece of media.

References

• FCC: V-Chip: Viewing Television Responsibly
• Parent Dish: Managing Exposure to Violent Media

Resources

• First Amendment Center: Violence and Media