Violence on TV is too much for kids

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A study by the Parents Television Council found that violence during primetime programming in the United States increased 75 percent since 1998.

The fall 2005 season of television was also one of the most violent seasons recorded by the PTC, said a news release from Los Angeles.

"This new study shows that violence on television is alarmingly more frequent and more disturbing than anything we've seen. Children and families who watched primetime network television last season were treated to a frightening amount and degree of violence. Not only was there more on-screen violence than ever before, but the discussions of violent crimes were more explicit and the violence depicted was far more graphic," said Tim Winter, president of the PTC.

"Medical and social science have proven conclusively that children are adversely affected by exposure to it (television violence) -- yet millions of parents think nothing of letting their children watch 'C.S.I.' or other, equally violent programs," he added.

And after deeming V-chips useless, the PTC said: "Parents must be more aware and involved with their family media consumption, and it is up to the program creators, the networks, the sponsors and our public servants to institute sweeping changes to the current system which clearly does not go far enough to protect children."