Violent Film Characters' Portrayal of Alcohol, Sex, and Tobacco-Related Behaviors (original) (raw)

Industry Television Ratings for Violence, Sex, and Substance Use

Pediatrics, 2016

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the industry-run television (TV) Parental Guidelines discriminate on violence, sexual behavior, alcohol use, and smoking in TV shows, to assess their usefulness for parents. METHODS: Seventeen TV shows (323 episodes and 9214 episode minutes) across several TV show rating categories (TVY7, TVPG, TV14, and TVMA) were evaluated. We content-coded the episodes, recording seconds of each risk behavior, and we rated the salience of violence in each one. Multilevel models were used to test for associations between TV rating categories and prevalence of risk behaviors across and within episodes or salience of violence. RESULTS: Every show had at least 1 risk behavior. Violence was pervasive, occurring in 70% of episodes overall and for 2.3 seconds per episode minute. Alcohol was also common (58% of shows, 2.3 seconds per minute), followed by sex (53% of episodes, 0.26 seconds per minute), and smoking (31% of shows, 0.54 seconds per minute). TV Parental Guideline...

Influence of Motion Picture Rating on Adolescent Response to Movie Smoking

Pediatrics, 2012

OBJECTIVE:To examine the association between movie smoking exposure (MSE) and adolescent smoking according to rating category.METHODS:A total of 6522 US adolescents were enrolled in a longitudinal survey conducted at 8-month intervals; 5503 subjects were followed up at 8 months, 5019 subjects at 16 months, and 4575 subjects at 24 months. MSE was estimated from 532 recent box-office hits, blocked into 3 Motion Picture Association of America rating categories: G/PG, PG-13, and R. A survival model evaluated time to smoking onset.RESULTS:Median MSE in PG-13–rated movies was ∼3 times higher than median MSE from R-rated movies, but their relation with smoking was essentially the same, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–1.81) and 1.33 (95% CI: 1.23–1.81) for each additional 500 occurrences of MSE respectively. MSE from G/PG-rated movies was small and had no significant relationship with adolescent smoking. Attributable risk estimates showed that adolesc...

AN APPETITE FOR VIOLENCE Negative Effects of Children's Exposure to Violence in Film and the Case for Stricter Self-regulation Within the Film Industry

2020

Violence in film has negative impacts on society and individuals, particularly children, necessitating additional vigilance in self-censorship by filmmakers and stricter regulation by the MPAA to ensure safe and appropriate content for youth audiences, as well as to ensure that film remains protected as free speech. The impact on youth as well as the cultural influence of film are critical factors to consider regarding film content. Depictions of violence and aggressive behavior in film teaches aggressive behaviors to children, especially when perpetrated within a humorous context, by attractive characters, and when there are no negative consequences for violent or aggressive acts (Timmer). Pervasive violence exists at all ratings levels of film and is most prevalent in content intended for children. A system of “ratings creep” and a push for profitability perpetuate violence in children’s media (Afra). Ensuring that film content is appropriate and nonviolent when directed toward youth audiences is beneficial for children, society, and the film industry.