Survey finds parents prefer censorship!

A survey executed by the Conducted by the Social Development Foundation of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) found that about 63% of parents who have young children would prefer a regulatory authority to curb sex and violence in TV programmes, particularly those telecast in the prime time slot.

The survey was conducted to cover over 2,000 children of different age groups and 3,000 parents in Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Patna, Pune, Chandigarh and Dehradun.

The survey found that children between the ages of 6 and 17 spend an average of incredible five hours watching television. Economically speaking, the survey found that 52% of the children had TV sets in their own rooms, and about 56% of homes had more three or more TV sets.

Parents believe that about 10% of the violence among children and adolescents was because of the “glorification” of violence in TV programmes. This survey completely corroborates our earlier post on Shin-Chan changing behavior among children.

About 90% of the parents mentioned that they are “very worried” that TV programmes are getting worse every year, with foul language and and adult themes especially on those telecast during prime time (7 p.m. to 10 p.m) slot.  86% want the government to take stern measures in this regard.

About 71% parents are worried about the effect of vulgarity and 58% about violence depicted in reality shows and about 54% adolescents prefer watching “something different” on TV in the absence of their parents.

The survey also discovered that children under eight years of age are unable to discern between reality and fantasy shown in Television programmes. About 56% children in the age group of four to six years prefer to spend time watching TV rather than interact socially with their friends. 76% parents believe that the reduction in amount of respect for elders among four to eight year old children was because of what they latter watched on television.