Libraries

WIU Logo

Children and Television

A Guide to Selected Government Information Available at WIU's Government Publications Library

Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.

Federal Government Information
Substance Use In Popular Movies and Music

This publication presents results of a study on substance use portrayal in the most popular movie rentals and songs of 1996 and 1997 to determine prevalence and context. These results support the argument that the media influences youth attitudes on smoking and drug usage. 1999
PREX 26.2:SU 1

Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools

Presented here are surveys to evaluate youth violence prevention programs. The measures are intended for use with youth ages 11 to 20 years and include tools for determining attitudes and beliefs related to television. 1998
HE 20.7952:V 81

New Directions for Public Television

This article explores public television's use of digital technology to enhance children's television, including "multicasting" (linking many shows with similar themes) and interactive television. New shows planning to use these technologies are highlighted.
Early Childhood Update. Spring 1999; ED 1.343:999/Spring/corr.; http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ECI/newsletters/99spring/early1.html

Television Ratings System

This hearing debates the new television rating system and, in doing so, discusses the harm that television violence does to children. Industry and parental responsibilities are examined as well. 1997
Y 4.C 73/7:S. HRG. 105-157

MM Docket 93-48; FCC 96-335 In the Matter of Policy and Rules Concerning Children's Television Programming

This FCC Order on the web strengthens enforcement of the Children's Television Act of 1990 by better informing the public and adopting clarifying definitions and processing guidelines for broadcasters. The importance of children's television programming and the history of governmental efforts to promote quality programming for children are examined. Appendix D offers graphical depiction of TV usage by children and teens by day of the week and time of the day. 1996.
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1996/fcc96335.htm

Government and Television: Improving Programming Without Censorship

This hearing seeks answers to television violence issues and the role the government should play in curbing the negative impact that violence and sexual innuendo have on children. Materials submitted for the record include "Sex, Kids, and the Family Hour: A Three-Part Study of Sexual Content on Television" and "Sex and the Mass Media". 1997
Y 4.G 74/9:S.HRG. 105-218

The TV Parental Guidelines

This guide on the FCC web site is intended to help parents understand the television rating system. It offers label and content indicators and their meanings.
http://www.tvguidelines.org

Legal Information
"Children's Exposure to Indecent Material on Cable: Denver Area Educational Telecommunications Consortium, Inc. v. FCC, An Interpretation of the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992"

This article takes a historical look at cable regulation and analyzes recent case law. First Amendment issues and ramifications are examined. Blocking alternatives, locked boxes, and v-chips are discussed.
DePaul Law Review. Vol. 47, No. 4 Summer 1998 pp. 1041-1086

Children's Television Act of 1990

One of the major goals of this Act is to increase the quantity of educational and informational broadcast television programming for children. Under FCC rules, the maximum amount of time allowed for commercials during children's programs on commercial and cable television is 10.5 minutes per hour on weekends and 12 minutes per hour on week days.
P.L. 101-437 104 STAT.996
For Legislative History of this Act, see 1990 U.S.C.C.A.A.N p.1605

Brandensbury v. Ohio

Lawsuit involving a 9-year old who was attacked and sexually assaulted by a group of assailants imitating a similar scene recently watched in television drama.
395 US Reports 444 (1969) These are all ways to help kids get a better understanding on how tv affects kids all over the world.

Walt Disney Productions, Inc. v. Shannon

This case held that a broadcaster was not liable for a child's injuries caused by imitation of acts viewed on a TV program.
276 SouthEastern 2d 580 (1981)

DeFilippo v. National Broadcasting Co

This case held that a broadcaster was not liable for the hanging death of a 13-year old imitating a recently watched TV stunt involving hanging.
446 Atlantic 2d 1036 (1982)

Special Legal Issues in Advertising - Electronic Advertising Directed to Children

This chapter provides background information on the Children's Television Act of 1990, a synopsis of new legislation, and constitutional theories regarding licenses, children, advertisers, and constitutionality. 1999
Modern Communication Law. Vol. 1, Chapter 3, Section 3.15C p. 350
LEGL REF KF 2765.M 63 1999 v.1

Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act

Although this Act ultimately did not become law, its Senate Report from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation contains much useful information on the background of TV violence legislation and research and the need for further focus on this topic. 1997
Y 1.1/2:SERIAL 14407 Senate Report 105-89

http://www.wiu.edu/libraries/govpubs/guides/childrenAndTelevision.php

Subject Guides