Journal Queries Parents’ Vigilance with Violence

Parents widely agree: their surveillance over children’s exposure to media violence hardly curbs the trend. A new study published in the journal Pediatrics, which questioned parents about their children’s exposure to violence from television, games, and other entertainment industries, found that even vigilant parents think they can hardly limit the amount of media violence their children witness. The study may help show parents the challenge they face more clearly while also encouraging pediatricians to offer more advice, according to Dr. Joseph L. Wright, a co-author of the study and medical director of advocacy and community affairs at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington. The study, which was conducted in the Washington D.C. area, suggests parents limit children’s television and game time to two hours per day. Information from Reuters Health contributed to this report.