Most kids exposed to TV violence, poll finds

The Abac Poll Research Centre surveyed 2,486 children aged between three and 18 in Bangkok and its adjacent provinces from June 30 to July 2.

Dr Yongyuth Wongpirom-sarn, adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattana-siritham, yesterday disclosed the findings at a seminar on Thai soap operas.

On Wednesday, soap-opera producers voiced objections to plans to strictly limit what TV viewers can watch at specific times of the day. The seminar, however, saw participants warmly welcoming the restrictions.

"Nowadays, TV has raised children. It is clear children believe what TV offers much more than what their parents have told them," said Arisara Chinprayoon, a member of a parents' network.

She said children were not mature enough to realise that not everything on TV is appropriate.

"The ratings and air-time conditions are the right answer. Children should receive parental guidance on certain TV programmes," Arisara said.

According to the plan being considered by the Public Relations Department, TV programmes with scenes including sex, violence and incorrect grammar will face air-time restrictions.

"With the ratings and air-time restrictions, it will be possible for children to get parental advice while watching certain programmes," said Dr Panpimon Lortrakul, who heads the Rajanukul Institute.

The seminar was held by the Children's Media Network.

Ithipol Pretiprasong, of the National Institute for Child and Family Development, said TV viewers wanted series that offer much more than slapping and kissing scenes.

Dr Porntip Yenjabok, who teaches at Kasetsart University, said there were wrong values in many soap operas, such as doing everything to achieve social status and using violence to get love.

In a related development, the National Economic and Social Advisory Council's committee on consumer protection yesterday complained that the Public Relations Department had been slow to act on Cabinet-approved controls of snack advertising.

According to the proposal, children, cartoon characters, actors, actresses, singers and celebrities should be barred from being presenters of snack adverts.

Mayuree  Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation