As a nation the United States ranks first among all developed countries in the world in homicides. Among individuals 15 to 24 years old, homicide is the second leading cause of death, and for African American youth it is number one. In recent polls, Americans listed crime as the number one problem facing society. Minnesota is no exception. A Star Tribune analysis of arrests of juveniles for violent crimes in 1994, compared with 1993, showed a 30 percent jump in Minneapolis and a 46 percent increase in St. Paul.
Juvenile crime is on the increase in rural Minnesota as well.
It is clear that media violence is one of the main contributors to the problems we are facing. Children in the United States are exposed to very high levels of media violence. Research data show that there are approximately five to six violent acts per hour on prime time television and 20 to 25 violent acts on Saturday morning children's television programs. In addition to broadcast television, cable television adds to the level of violence through new, more violent programs, and by recycling, older violent broadcasts. A survey conducted by the Center for Media and Public Affairs identified 1,846 violent scenes broadcast and cable cast between 6 a.m. and midnight on one day.