News Release

Television viewing and aggressive behavior—a youth ministry expert comments

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Science and Religion Information Service

In a paper on “Television Viewing and Aggressive Behavior During Adolescence and Adulthood,” to be published in Science on 29 March 2002, Jeffrey Johnson and others report a significant association between the level of television viewing and the likelihood of aggressive behavior. An expert on the family and moral development comments on the implications of this research.

This release contains quotes from a well-informed religious scholar. The quotes are free to use by journalists in any news medium. Contact information is provided and follow-up interviews are encouraged.

Statement by Chris Boyatzis, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at Bucknell University and Visiting Professor in Christian Education at Virginia Theological Seminary (the largest seminary of the Episcopal Church). His primary research interest is religious socialization processes in the family. 570.577.1696 ph. 570.577.7007 fx. email: Cboyatzis@vts.edu

“Without knowing how the researchers measured and defined 'childhood neglect,' I can't judge for sure, but it's possible that family harmony and communication of values and morals is a more subtle measure than "neglect." What may be going on is that families high in TV viewing are also low(er) in moral/character education.

“One reason: When families are watching TV, they're not talking or interacting much. Indeed, some studies have shown that about 75% of kids' TV viewing is done without the company of parents. Tragic, because parents could serve as "filters" for the TV content. So we have a double whammy--parents and kids communicate less when the TV is on a lot, which means parents have fewer opportunities to convey positive values and messages to their children; and even when viewing the cultural sludge on TV, parents are not present to help kids understand and filter out the toxins.

“So what should we do? Media literacy training. Talk with children about the messages and images on TV. Ask our kids, "Is there another way to solve that problem besides beating each other up?" I recall one father who let his young son watch the "Ninja Turtles" cartoon only if the boy imagined another turtle--named Gandhi--who suggested a nonviolent solution to the group's problems. I learned from personal experience that taking a "just say no" approach only created a "forbidden fruit" syndrome with my kids. So I set clear limits, sort of like putting my kids on a restricted "TV diet," and then I like to watch programs with them and talk about what we're seeing--I'll point out sexist or racist or stereotypic images, I'll comment negatively on violence/sex/immorality, etc. If parents JOIN their children, we can protect them.

“Parents have to remember something so obvious we've forgotten it: BE THE PARENT. This entails making--and enforcing--decisions in the best interests for our kids that are unpopular with our kids. Mr. Rogers, Barney, Sesame Street, and Blues Clues have all been shown to have positive effects on things from letter learning to manners. I think the issue isn't so much whether media is good or bad--let's face it: it's more bad than good in our culture--the issue is HOW WE USE IT. Does media use us, or do we use media? If WE are using the media, turn the TV off; set strict limits on hrs per week, on kinds of programs, on time of day when kids/family can watch. It's up to us; WE'RE THE PARENTS. ACT LIKE IT.”

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