Spring Break
Researchers throw punches at TV violence
REViEW program has been proven to reduce violent TV watched by school children
Craig Bidiman
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: News
Children all around the world were transformed forever when Walt Disney introduced Mickey Mouse in 1928. His name was Steamboat Willie then, but times have changed. Bugs Bunny, introduced by Warner Brothers in 1945, couldn't have even foreseen the evolution that would take place in the realm of children's characters on television.
According to kidshealth.org, "the average American child will witness 200,000 violent acts on television by age 18."
Shows like Family Guy, South Park, Spongebob Squarepants and even the Simpsons have been the target of much discussion in this territory. Other shows, like Avatar, Samurai Jack, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers have consistently promoted a more violent nature in the 2000s.
Regardless of whether children are viewing these programs, they are still present.
"We have a significant body of research now that shows that children who watch violent TV tend to be more violent, to overestimate the threat of crime, and to think that the world is a more dangerous place than it is," Sharon Rosenkoetter, an Oregon State researcher, said. "So if there is a connection between violent TV and violent behavior - and research shows that there is - then it is in society's interest to reduce the viewing of violence."
For four years, Oregon State researchers Lawrence Rosenkoetter, Sharon Rosenkoetter and Alan Acock have been devising the REViEW Project Curriculum (Reducing Early Violence: Education Works), a classroom-based intervention program that has proven to effectively reduce the amount of violent television viewed by first to fourth graders by 18 percent. This, as the group puts it, shows a need for steering children to "healthier" viewing habits.
"I think the problem with cartoons today lies within the creators of the shows wanting to bring back and emulate the shows they grew up with," Jared Banta, a junior in history and education, said. "I had the cartoons of the '90s, the good cartoons. It was all about the wholesome Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network cartoons."
According to kidshealth.org, "the average American child will witness 200,000 violent acts on television by age 18."
Shows like Family Guy, South Park, Spongebob Squarepants and even the Simpsons have been the target of much discussion in this territory. Other shows, like Avatar, Samurai Jack, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers have consistently promoted a more violent nature in the 2000s.
Regardless of whether children are viewing these programs, they are still present.
"We have a significant body of research now that shows that children who watch violent TV tend to be more violent, to overestimate the threat of crime, and to think that the world is a more dangerous place than it is," Sharon Rosenkoetter, an Oregon State researcher, said. "So if there is a connection between violent TV and violent behavior - and research shows that there is - then it is in society's interest to reduce the viewing of violence."
For four years, Oregon State researchers Lawrence Rosenkoetter, Sharon Rosenkoetter and Alan Acock have been devising the REViEW Project Curriculum (Reducing Early Violence: Education Works), a classroom-based intervention program that has proven to effectively reduce the amount of violent television viewed by first to fourth graders by 18 percent. This, as the group puts it, shows a need for steering children to "healthier" viewing habits.
"I think the problem with cartoons today lies within the creators of the shows wanting to bring back and emulate the shows they grew up with," Jared Banta, a junior in history and education, said. "I had the cartoons of the '90s, the good cartoons. It was all about the wholesome Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network cartoons."
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