Parents Org: Survey Shows Support for Limiting Violent Videogame, Movie Marketing

A new survey conducted in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting rampage shows that parents overwhelmingly believe that violence in TV, movies and videogames contributes to violence overall, with a majority saying that the prevalance of mayhem in the media making it difficult to shieled their children from such images.

The survey, conducted by SurveryUSA on behalf of Common Sense Media and the Center for American Progress, showed that parents were split on the question of whether violence in videogames is a “major” or “minor” problem. Although parents said that the current voluntary movie and videogame ratings allowed them to make informed decisions about violent content, they also were in favor of limiting when ads for graphic videogames and movies can air and be shown in theaters.

The survey, conducted from Jan. 4 to 5, was of 1,050 parents who have a child under the age of 18 living at home.

Respondents were asked whether a series of items “contributes to violence in the United States.” Topping the list was “lack of supervision of children,” with 93%, followed by bullying, 92%; “crime in day to day life,” 86%; violence in TV and movies, 77%; “easy access to guns,’ 75%; “violence in videogames,” 75%; and violent toys, 64%.

The survey showed that 75% of parents found shielding their children from violence “difficult.” After shown an ad for the videogame “Hitman: Absolution,” 84% of parents found that it was “not appropriate” to air the spot when children were watching TV. Some 63% said the same when shown a trailer for “Gangster Squad.”

Common Sense Media, an parental advocacy org, cited the survey results in a letter to Vice President Joseph Biden, who is scheduled to meet on Thursday evening with representatives from entertainment and later in the week with representatives from the videogame business.

Common Sense Media CEO James Steyer used the results to bolster their call for limits on marketing of violent material. He outlined a series of proposals in his letter, including a voluntary moratorium on all advertising for violent videogames and violent movie trailers during programming when children are watching. He also is calling for legislation that wo9uld give the FCC authority to restrict the marketing of violent videogames, movies trailers and promotions when children are watching, as well as a more prominent display of movie, TV and videogame ratings on marketing materials. Another proposal calls for the Federal Trade Commission to require that the gun industry revela all product placements and tie-ins with the videogame industry.

A recent survey done by Penn Schoen Berland and the Hollywood Reporter showed that 70% of respondents over 30 felt there was too much violence in advertising for movies and TV shows, with 34% supporting greater restrictions. But 75% said it was not the role of the White House or Congress to pressure the industry to tone it down.

The complete results of the SurveyUSA poll are below:

Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Mkt Research Study #20182

Geography Surveyed: USA 50 States
Data Collected: 01/04/2013 - 01/05/2013
Release Date: 01/07/2013 08:15 ET
Sponsor: Common Sense Media / Center for American Progress

Parents With Children at Home Weigh-In -- Here's What Contributes to Violence in the United States:

Common Sense Media and the Center for American Progress commissioned SurveyUSA to conduct a nationwide survey of parents who have a child under age 18 living at home. 1,050 parents were interviewed 01/04/13 and 01/05/13. Results:

* 89% of parents nationwide say violence in today's video games is a problem.
* 75% of parents say shielding children from violence is difficult.

All parents were shown video of an advertisement for the video game "Hitman: Absolution." 84% say the advertisement is inappropriate to show on TV at a time when children are watching.

Parents were also shown a video of an advertisement for the movie "Gangster Squad." 63% of parents say the advertisement is inappropriate to show on TV at a time when children are watching.

* 93% of parents nationwide say lack of supervision for children contributes to violence.
* 92% of parents nationwide say bullying contributes to violence.
* 86% of parents nationwide say crime in day-to-day life contributes.
* 77% of of parents nationwide say violence in TV and movies contributes.
* 75% of parents nationwide say easy access to guns contributes.
* 75% of parents nationwide say violence in video games contributes.
* 64% say violent toys contribute.

Respondents for this survey randomly chosen by United Sample. Parents needed to be able to view video on a computer, tablet or smartphone to be eligible to participate.

1	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 1.7%

For each of the following items, please tell us whether or not it contributes to violence in the United States: Bullying.

92%	Does
5%	Does Not
3%	Not Sure

2	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.7%

Easy access to guns.

75%	Does
18%	Does Not
7%	Not Sure

3	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.6%

Violence in TV and movies.

77%	Does
15%	Does Not
9%	Not Sure

4	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.7%

Violence in video games.

75%	Does
17%	Does Not
8%	Not Sure

5	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.1%

Crime in day to day life.

86%	Does
8%	Does Not
6%	Not Sure

6	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3%

Violent toys.

64%	Does
24%	Does Not
12%	Not Sure

7	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 1.6%

Lack of supervision for children.

93%	Does
4%	Does Not
2%	Not Sure

8	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

On a scale of 1-10, where 10 means you completely agree, and 1 means you completely disagree, how strongly do you agree or disagree with this statement: "Addressing violence in the United States will require taking action on violence in the media and keeping weapons away from our kids."

8.3

Average

10%

12%

13%

47%

9	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

Is the violence in today's video games a major problem? A minor problem? Or not a problem at all?

45%	Major Problem
44%	Minor Problem
8%	Not a Problem
2%	Not Sure

10	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3%

How closely do you monitor the movies, video games, and music your children see and hear for violent content? Very closely? Somewhat closely? Not very closely? Or not at all closely?

60%	Very
34%	Somewhat
4%	Not Very
2%	Not At All
0%	Not Sure

11	Asked of 1027 who monitor
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.7%

Is shielding your children from violence difficult? Or easy?

75%	Difficult
21%	Easy
4%	Not Sure

12	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.3%

For each of the following items, please tell us whether or not it makes shielding your children from violence difficult: Bullying.

88%	Makes Shielding Difficult
8%	Does Not
4%	Not Sure

13	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.5%

Easy access to guns.

57%	Makes Shielding Difficult
38%	Does Not
5%	Not Sure

14	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.5%

Violence in TV and movies.

85%	Makes Shielding Difficult
13%	Does Not
2%	Not Sure

15	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.2%

Violence in video games.

72%	Makes Shielding Difficult
26%	Does Not
2%	Not Sure

16	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.7%

Crime in day to day life.

83%	Makes Shielding Difficult
14%	Does Not
4%	Not Sure

17	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.5%

Violent toys.

54%	Makes Shielding Difficult
41%	Does Not
5%	Not Sure

18	Asked of 808 who monitor and do not find shielding to be easy
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.4%

Lack of supervision for children.

65%	Makes Shielding Difficult
30%	Does Not
5%	Not Sure

19	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.3%

The video game in this advertisement, Hitman: Absolution, is rated for mature audiences only. Do you think this advertisement is appropriate or inappropriate to air when children are watching TV?

10%	Appropriate
84%	Not Appropriate
6%	Not Sure

20	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3%

The movie in this advertisement, Gangster Squad, is rated R. Do you think this advertisement is appropriate or inappropriate to air when children are watching TV?

27%	Appropriate
63%	Not Appropriate
10%	Not Sure

21	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2%

The policies of both the TV networks and the alcohol industry prevent advertising for alcoholic beverages from airing during programs viewed by large numbers of children. Should similar policies also apply to advertising for violent video games and violent movies when children are watching?

88%	Yes
8%	No
4%	Not Sure

22	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

Is your opinion of each of the following ... Very favorable? Somewhat favorable ? Neither favorable nor unfavorable ? Somewhat unfavorable ? Or very unfavorable? : The major broadcast TV networks.

27%	Very Favorable
36%	Somewhat Favorable
20%	Neither Favorable Nor Unfavorable
10%	Somewhat Unfavorable
6%	Very Unfavorable
0%	Not Sure

23	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

The NFL.

39%	Very Favorable
29%	Somewhat Favorable
19%	Neither Favorable Nor Unfavorable
9%	Somewhat Unfavorable
4%	Very Unfavorable
1%	Not Sure

24	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

The NBA.

31%	Very Favorable
26%	Somewhat Favorable
24%	Neither Favorable Nor Unfavorable
11%	Somewhat Unfavorable
6%	Very Unfavorable
1%	Not Sure

25	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

The NBA and NFL have television deals with TV networks, and have the ability to allow or not allow ads they think are appropriate for their audiences. If the leagues called on its television partners to temporarily stop airing ads for violent movies and video games during televised sporting events when kids are watching, what would be your opinion of each of the following? The major broadcast TV networks.

54%	Very Favorable
23%	Somewhat Favorable
14%	Neither Favorable Nor Unfavorable
5%	Somewhat Unfavorable
4%	Very Unfavorable
0%	Not Sure

26	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

The NFL.

57%	Very Favorable
22%	Somewhat Favorable
12%	Neither Favorable Nor Unfavorable
5%	Somewhat Unfavorable
3%	Very Unfavorable
0%	Not Sure

27	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

The NBA.

55%	Very Favorable
23%	Somewhat Favorable
14%	Neither Favorable Nor Unfavorable
5%	Somewhat Unfavorable
3%	Very Unfavorable
0%	Not Sure

28	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

On a scale of 1-10, where 10 means you completely agree, and 1 means you completely disagree, how strongly do you agree or disagree with these statements: "There is a culture of violence in the United States that needs to be curtailed and the media industry has the power to help change that by not exposing young audiences to violent advertising."

8.4

Average

12%

16%

46%

29	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.1%

"There is a culture of violence in the United States that needs to be curtailed and the gun industry has the power to help address this violence and should be part of the solution."

7.9

Average

10%

13%

42%

30	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.9%

Does the current system of movie and video game ratings allow parents to make informed decisions about violent content?

68%	Yes
23%	No
9%	Not Sure

31	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 1.8%

Do you agree or disagree: Theaters should only show previews for movies that have the same or lower rating than the movie that is being shown. (In other words, only PG or G movies could be previewed when watching a PG movie.)

91%	Agree
6%	Disagree
3%	Not Sure

32	Asked of 1050 parents of children 0-18
	Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2%

Do you agree or disagree: Networks should only show ads for television shows that have the same or lower rating as the television programming on at the time. (Programming like sports, for example, is rated "E" for everyone and should only air "E" ads.)

88%	Agree
7%	Disagree
4%	Not Sure

x	Complete Interactive Crosstabs
i	Statement of Methodology
!	© 2013 SurveyUSA / Contractual Obligations

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Parents Org: Survey Shows Support for Limiting Violent Videogame, Movie Marketing

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