Violence on television is no secret to children, any more than it is in real life. However, on television, the violence can be switched off and it goes away. In real life, that's not so easy.
Most healthy children understand the difference between TV and the real world.
You may be surprised by their perceptions of TV violence, and your discussion can be enlightening. These questions are almost certain to result in a heartfelt examination of the complicated psychological and social issues of violence, during which lasting lessons will be learned. The answers may persuade you to stay tuned, or to switch channels. For additional information about the hundreds of hours of educational and nonviolent programming on cable, ask for a free copy of Cable in the Classroom magazine. Dr. Bobbi Kamil , executive director of Cable in the Classroom, has a Ph.D. in instructional technology and has worked in the field of learning through television for more than 25 years.