Characters 1975 "family time" television programs and 1976 programs shown after the "family time" concept had been legally challenged were rated on sex role portrayal. A significant relationship among viewing time, program type, and sex of character suggested that content considered acceptable for children emphasized…

Mr. Rogers of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood", a children's television program, discusses his ideas about children. (CM)

An interview with Peggy Charren explores the founding of Action for Children's Television, its role in the Children's Television Act of 1990, ways to reduce televised violence, and strategies for activism. (SK)

Since the creation of "Sesame Street", children's educational television programs have grown in both number and popularity. However, controversy has shadowed the children's television arena for many years. Some have claimed that viewing television is a passive event, requiring little or no effort on the part of the viewer. However, research on…

The landscape of children's programming is changing because of the increased exportation of children's television programs created in the USA. Networks have been aggressively marketing programs to an international audience through individual program sales and satellite network expansion. Some see problems as a result of the potential shift in…

Six boys and six girls aged 4-6 years viewed one of three videotapes in which puppets (two Muppets: one male and one female) used culturally stereotyped arguments to assign masculinity, feminity or sex-role neutrality to a standard set of sex-neutral toys. After viewing a film, the children were observed for 10 minutes in free play with toys shown…

Preschoolers' perceptions of the reality of selected televised portrayals were investigated in this study. Three factors (type of event, character, and format) were examined as a function of the age and sex of the children. Thirty-six 4- and 5 1/2-year-olds were asked to judge the reality of specific televised events shown on videotape. The events…

This study briefly reviews the findings of Scandinavian research on children and television in the socialization process. Viewing habits of children, their social situations, and the breakdown of various viewer groups are explored. The interactive nature of television programs that seek active responses from children are discussed, as well as…

This study utilizing data obtained from 695 kindergarten-aged children was designed to examine the effects of "Sesame Street" in a multi-variate framework, and to develop production functions showing contributions to be derived from the production function paradigm, especially the possible results of mixing television viewing with…

Results of this study indicate that violent content in comic cartoon programs is recognized as violent by children, and not regarded as merely humorous. (Author/STS)

Reviews theory and research regarding the type and amount of learning young children gain from educational television in preschool settings. Reports the results of a study of 47 six and seven-year-old children's level of understanding of a television program and equivalent story. Includes a taxonomy useful for examining children's level of…

The chairman of the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) looks at new developments in television and discusses the advantages and problems that may surface with the expansion of television. (CJ)

A producer of children's television shows explains the challenges of providing appropriate programing for children. (FL)

Examines first- , third- , and sixth-grade children's abilities to discriminate between the reality and fantasy of television programs. Lengthy clinical interviews were conducted with each of 36 children, including viewing and discussion of 12 videotaped program segments. (SW)

Considers the confrontation between the Federal Trade Commission and marketers/broadcasters over the regulation of children's television advertising, illustrating the effects of ethical conduct on public policy. (Author/RL)