he good guys may have had guns but they rarely got used. If they did get used (The A-Team) then nobody got shot. The impact of TV violence may be immediately evident in the child's behavior or may surface years later. Some young viewers can even be affected when the family atmosphere shows no tendency toward violence. This does not in any way mean that violence on television is the only source for aggressive or violent behavior, but it is a significant contributor. Parents can protect children from excessive TV violence in the following ways: Pay attention to the programs their children are watching. Watch some with them. Set limits on the amount of time they spend with the television. Point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death. Refuse to let the children see shows known to be violent, and change the channel or turn off the TV set when something offensive comes on, with an explanation of what is wrong with the program. Disapprove of the violent episodes in front of the children, stressing the belief that such behavior is not the best way to resolve a problem. To offset peer pressure among friends and classmates, contact other parents and agree to enforce similar rules about the length of time and type of program the children may watch. Parents should also use these measures to prevent harmful effects from television in other areas such as racial or sexual stereotyping. The amount of time children watch TV, regardless of content, should be moderated, because it keeps children from other, more beneficial activities such as reading and playing with friends. If parents have serious difficulties setting limits, or deep concerns about how their child is reacting to television, they should contact a child and adolescent psychiatrist for help defining the problem. Parents need to learn how to tell their...
