The portrayal of violence in the guise of entertainment is a serious and growing social problem says children's advocate Virginia Smith. Smith's comments come in response to recent findings that the United States entertainment industry systematically targets children in its marketing of violent films and video games.
Lets get our priorities straight.
The study, which is the culmination of a year's investigation by the FTC, found that children were targeted even when entertainment products were rated for mature audiences only. It's imperative that children are provided with a simple, comfortable and safe environment, protected from fear and violence. Smith notes that computer use among young children is on the rise around the world and adds a new, more urgent dimension to the problem of violent media. During my travels, I have seen children from Algeria to Africa to Asia, all being exposed to the same images and ideas on the computer monitor. Access to violent entertainment has entered a new era.