We, the undersigned, represent the public health community. As with any
community. there exists a diversity of viewpoints - but with many matters,
there is also consensus. Although a wide variety of viewpoints on the import
and impact of entertainment violence on children may exist outside the
public health community, within it, there is a strong consensus on many of
the effects on children's health, well-being and development.

Television, movies, music, and interactive games are powerful learning
tools, and highly influential media. The average American child spends as
much as 28 hours a week watching television, and typically at least an hour
a day playing video games or surfing the Internet. Several more hours each
week are spent watching movies and videos, and listening to music. These
media can, and often are, used to instruct, encourage, and even inspire. But
when these entertainment media showcase violence - and particularly in a
context which glamorizes or trivializes it - the lessons learned can be
destructive.

There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent
programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection
between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2)
young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply
fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both counts.

At this time, well over 1000 studies - including reports from the Surgeon
General's office, the National Institute of Mental Health, and numerous
studies conducted by leading figures within our medical and public health
organizations - our own members - point overwhelmingly to a causal
connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in some children.

The conclusion of the public health community, based on over 30 years of
research, is that viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases in
aggressive attitudes, values and behavior, particularly in children.
Its effects are measurable and long-lasting. Moreover, prolonged viewing of
media violence can lead to emotional desensitization toward violence in real
life.

The effect of entertainment violence on children is complex and variable.
Some children will be affected more than others. But while duration,
intensity, and extent of the impact may vary, there are several measurable
negative effects of children's exposure to violent entertainment. These
effects take several forms.

Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an
effective way of settling conflicts. Children exposed to violence are more
likely to assume that acts of violence are acceptable behavior.
Viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in
real life. It can decrease the likelihood that one will take action on
behalf of a victim when violence occurs.

Entertainment violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and
mean place. Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of
violence, with a resultant increase in self-protective behaviors and a
mistrust of others.

Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Children exposed to violent
programming at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive
behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed.

Although less research has been done on the impact of violent interactive
entertainment (video games and other interactive media) on young people,
preliminary studies indicate that the negative impact may be significantly
more severe than that wrought by television, movies, or music. More study is
needed in this area, and we urge that resources and attention be directed to
this field,

We in no way mean to imply that entertainment violence is the sole, or even
necessarily the most important factor contributing to youth aggression,
anti-social attitudes, and violence. Family breakdown, peer influences, the
availability of weapons, and numerous other factors may all contribute to
these problems. Nor are we advocating restrictions on creative activity. The
purpose of this document is descriptive, not prescriptive: we seek to lay
out a clear picture of the pathological effects of entertainment violence.

But we do hope that by articulating and releasing the consensus of the
public health community, we may encourage greater public and parental
awareness of the harms of violent entertainment, and encourage a more honest
dialogue about what can be done to enhance the health and well-being of
America's children.

Signed: