The effect of television violence on children has been studied extensively since the 1950s, and most researchers agree that what children see on television does cause behavioral changes. In 1982, the National Institute of Mental Health concluded that there was no question that television violence causes aggression; in 1992, the American Psychological Association concurred. In response to such findings, the television industry has pledged on several occasions to cut back on violent programming. Nevertheless, violent acts continue to appear in children's programs.

The average American child watches 27 hours of television a week. Many television programs that depict violent behavior are broadcast during hours when children are most likely to be watching. According to a study conducted by the National Coalition on Television Violence in 1992, some prime time television programs average at least one violent act per minute, while children's cartoons average 32 violent acts per hour. The...