small screen News Digest of Australian Council on Children and the Media (incorporating Young Media Australia) ISSN: 0817-8224 No. 271 Dec 2010/Jan 2011

Scared, sleepless and hostile: Children, violent/frightening media and public policy

Tuesday 1 March 2011, 9am - 5pm NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre 37 Reservoir Street. Surry Hills, NSW 2010 Have we been ignoring evidence of damaging mental and physical impacts of scary and violent media on children and young people? Is it time to act? Can our regulatory/ classification systems become more effective in protecting children and in supporting parents? Leading Australian and US researchers will review the research evidence in these fields, the present structure of classification and ratings systems, and discuss recom- mendations for change. Speakers and their topics are:

• Dr Sarah Blunden (Aus) – The interrelationship between media usage and sleep

• Professor Ed Donnerstein (USA) – The mass media as a risk factor for aggression

• Richard Eckersley (Aus) - Young people’s wellbeing and complex media effects.

• Professor Douglas Gentile (USA) - Researching the effectiveness of media ratings

• Professor Elizabeth Handsley (Aust) – Implementing children’s rights in relation to media use Sarah Blunden

• Professor John P Murray (USA) – Media violence and brain activation patterns in young viewers

• Dr Wayne Warburton (Aus) – Children and scary media content

Professor Alan Hayes, Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, will chair the conference.

Register now - Early bird registration closes on 3 February 2011

http://www.childrenandmedia.org.au/mediachildren/01_18_sydney_conference-prelim.htm Douglas Gentile

Inquiries galore! The closing date for comment on the sexualisation of children and the ob- There are four inquiries of interest over terms of reference is Friday 28 January jectification of women in all media, the next few months: 2011. including advertising; • the effectiveness of the National Clas- 1. The Australian Government has an- 2. A Senate inquiry into the Australian film sification Scheme in dealing with new nounced its intention to conduct a Con- and literature classification scheme will technologies and new media, includ- vergence Review in 2011, in response to look at a broad range of issues, including: ing mobile phone applications, which trends that are reshaping the media land- • the application of the National have the capacity to deliver content scape from how it looked in the 1990s, Classification Scheme to works of art; to children, young people and adults which is when Australia’s current media • the impact of X18+ films, includ- and communications regulatory frame- ing their role in the sexual abuse of http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/commit- works were established. Information children; tee/legcon_ctte/classification_board/in- about this review, including draft terms of • the possibility of including outdoor dex.htm reference, a background paper, and how advertising, such as billboards, in the Submissions should be received by 4 to make a submission can be found on the National Classification Scheme; March 2011 Department for Broadband, Communica- • the application of the National Classi- tions and the Digital Economy website at fication Scheme to music videos; 3. A House of Representatives Standing http://www.dbcde.gov.au/digit - • the effectiveness of the National Clas- Committee on Social Policy and Legal al_economy/convergence_review. sification Scheme in preventing the continued on P 2

INQUIRIES GALORE SYDNEY CONFERENCE: FOOD ADVERTISING REPORTS SCAG DOES THE RIGHT THING CHILDREN & MEDIA HAITI THROUGH TEENAGE EYES small screen Dec 10/Jan 11 p2

EDITORIAL

SCAG does the sensible thing. Dec 10. By program’s end, Ross ACCM welcomes the Dec. 10 decision of SCAG was conceding that “Elizabeth no. 271 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 (see article below), to review the guidelines for Handley [sic], vice-president of the the classification of computer games. The gaming Australian Council on Children and small screen industry had widely promoted the introduction the Media …makes the point that Editor: Barbara Biggins OAM of an R18+category for games as a way to better an R18+ rating wouldn’t actually Barbara Biggins Compiler: Caroline Donald protect children. change the existing MA15+ guidelines OAM Editorial Board: Barbara Biggins, - something that would likely Hon CEO Jane Roberts, Judy Bundy, However, it seems that the Ministers having concern current R18+ proponents Elizabeth Handsley. been informed by contributions from the 6 panel who believe MA15+ guidelines would be re- small screen is published at the members invited to the SCAG meeting, including written should R18+ be introduced …. Handley’s beginning of each month and Prof Elizabeth Handsley (ACCM President), and point …hasn’t been significantly addressed reports on the events of the by a demonstration of content of games and films by R18+ proponents. If MA15+ doesn’t change previous month 11 issues per at the R18+ end of the scale, were convinced with the introduction of an R18+ classification, year (Dec/Jan double issue) otherwise. then there’s surely little point in having R18+: Published by a handful of games (historically less than 20 Australian Council on It’s taken a long time for the message to get over five years) may become infinitesimally Children and the Media through that the proposal to legalise an R18+ more violent but if the next Call of Duty is (ACCM) category simply would permit more extreme rated MA15+, then underraged kids will still be PO Box 447 sexual, violent and drug-taking content, while playing it.” http://www.abc.net.au/technology/ Glenelg 5045 games that met MA15+ criteria would remain articles/2010/12/10/3090036.htm South Australia MA15+. [email protected] Let’s hope a few more well-meaning proponents www.youngmedia.org.au Prof Handsley debated the issues with ABC’s of the “R18+ will better protect children” line will Tel: +61 8 8376 2111 Technology and Games Editor Nick Ross, on also see the light. Fax: +61 8 8376 2122 Radio National’s Life Matters program on Helpline: 1800 700 357 ACCM is a national, non- profit community organisation SCAG Ministers’ decisions agreed to the Commonwealth referring the committed to promoting better matter to the Australian Law Reform choices and providing stronger The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General Commission voices in children’s media. (SCAG) met on December 10 in Canberra. In regard to the classification of mobile phone No part of this publication In regard to R18+ Computer Games, Ministers applications & online games, Ministers considered may be reproduced without considered further work done to analyse the difficulties raised by industry and the permission of the Editor. community and expert views, including: Classification Board relating to the classification of online computer games including mobile (a) a national telephone poll conducted during Contributions are welcome. phone applications that are games and asked November which provided Ministers with officers to urgently develop alternative options additional community feedback from a random for an interim solution. sample of Australians from all States and ACCM’s services are Territories partly supported by a (b) a literature review of research exploring Inquiries galore ...... continued from P 1 links between computer games and violent grant from the behaviour Affairs inquiry into the regulation of billboard South Australian (c) a study of parity between computer game Government and outdoor advertising will look at the extent classifications internationally to which the current arrangements for the regu- (d) a panel discussion between representatives lation of billboard advertising continues to be in the fields of computer games, psychology and an effective method for managing this form of classification, and advertising in Australia in line with Australian ACCM’s Web Page and (e) advice from the Classification Board on the community expectations. More details can be Broadband access operation of the current MA 15+ classification found at are supported by its and options for an R 18+ classification. Internet Service Provider http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ It was decided that Ministers: spla/outdoor%20advertising/tor.htm Internode (a) will consider draft guidelines to be developed Submissions are due on Friday 18 February 2011 for classification of games at their next meeting, including a possible R18+ classification, taking 4. The Australian Law Reform Commission into account concerns raised by Ministers (ALRC) has been asked to conduct a review of Publication and relating to the difference in nature of film and classification in Australia. The review will con- printing of small screen games; and the interactivity of games; and that sider changes in technology, media convergence is supported by a there will continue to be a refused classification and the global availability of media content. The category, and proposed terms of reference for this review and donation from other details are available on the Classification (b) do not support the dilution of the refused Board website at classification category. The Operation of the National Classification Scheme Ministers agreed http://www.classification.gov.au/ on the need to reform the National Classification Scheme to accommodate and better anticipate The closing date for comment on the terms of technological and other developments. Ministers reference is Friday 28 January 2011. Clips ‘n’ Cuts small screen no. 271 Dec 10/Jan 11 small screen Dec 10/Jan11 p4 small screen Dec 10/Jan 11 p5 small screen Dec 10/Jan 11 p6 small screen Dec 10/Jan 11 p7 NEW PUBLICATIONS

ADVERTISING Personal uses of the Internet and Bazzini, D; et al (2010) van Reijmersdal, EA; et al(2010) perceptions of parental mediation: a Do animated Disney characters portray The effects of interactive brand research with children 10 and 11 years and promote the beauty-goodness placements in online games on old. stereotype? children’s cognitive, affective, and Pp2077-2082 Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol 40, conative brand responses. No. 10, Pp2687-2709 Computers in Human Behavior, Vol 26, No. Ivrendi, A & Ozdemir, AA (2010) 6, Pp1787- 1794 Mothers’ evaluation of cartoons’ VIDEO & COMPUTER GAMES influence on early childhood children. Desai, RA; et al (2010) Spitzer, M (2010) Pp2561-2566 Video-gaming among high school Impacts to children of TV advertising for students: Health correlates, gender unhealthy foods. Baker, OE & Tanrikulu, I (2010) differences, and problematic gaming. Nervenheilkunde, Vol 29, No. 7-8, Pp419 Psychological consequences of cyber Pediatrics, Vol. 126, No. 6, PpE1414-E1424 bullying experiences among Turkish Fried, BG; et al (2010) secondary school children. King, Dr. Daniel (2010) Adolescent gambling: Temperament, Pp2771-2776 An R18+ classification for video games sense of coherence and exposure to serves everyone’s best interest. advertising. Luciana, RP (2010) viewpoint. Perspectives on Public Policy, No. Addiction Research & Theory, Vol 18, No. 5, One minute more: Adolescent addiction 4, Pp39-44 Pp586-598 for virtual world. Pp3706-3710 Van Rooij, AJ; et al(2010) COMPUTERS & INTERNET Video game addiction and social Gokcearslan, AA (2010) McAfee (2010) responsibility. The effect of cartoon movies on The secret online lives of teens. Addiction Research, Vol 18, No. 5, Pp489-493 children’s gender development. www.mcafee.com Pp5202-5207 Weinstein, AM (2010) Bavelier, D; et al (2010) Computer and video game addiction – a Children, wired: for better and for comparison between users and non- worse. MEDIA EFFECTS - EDUCATION game users. Neuron, Vol. 67, No. 5, Pp692-701 Harrison Group (2010) American Journal of Drug and Alcohol 2010 kids & family reading report. Abuse, Vol 36, No. 5, Pp268-276 Law, DM; et al (2010) www.scholastic.com/readingreport To control or not to control? Parenting Mukherjee, S (2010) behaviours and adolescent online Linebarger, Dl & Piotrowski, JT (2010) Children, gender and videogames: aggression. Structure and strategies in children’s towards a relational approach to Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 26, No. educational television: The roles of multimedia. 6, Pp1651-1656 program type and learning strategies in Journal of Gender Studies, Vol 19, No. 3, children’s learning. Pp326-327 Patchin, JW; et al(2010) Child Development, Vol 82, No. 5, Pp1582- Changes in adolescent online social 1597 VIOLENCE networking behaviors from 2006 to 2009. Duncanson, K (2010) Computers in Human Behavior, Vol 26, No. Steemers, J (2010) The scene of violence: Cinema crime 6, Pp1818-1821 The BBC’s role in the changing effect. production ecology of preschool Australia and New Zealand Journal of Wilkinson, D & Thelwall, M (2010) television in Britain. Criminology, Vol 43, No. 2, Pp385-388 Social network site changes over time: Television & New Media, Vol 11, No. 1, The case of MySpace. Pp37-61 Perez-Ugena, A; et al (2010) Journal of the American Society for Violence on TV: An analysis of Information Science and Technology, Vol. 61, MEDIA EFFECTS – HEALTH children’s programming. No. 11, Pp2311-2323 Smith, B; et al (2010) Comunicar, No. 35, Pp105-112 Parental influences on child physical Buelga, S; et al (2010) activity and screen viewing time: a Cyberbullying: Adolescent population based study. victimization through mobile phone BMC Public Health, Vol 10,Art. 593, 8 Oct 2010 and internet. CONFERENCES Psicothema, Vol 22, No. 4, Pp784-789 MEDIA EFFECTS – SOCIAL Gentile, D (2010) Growing up solid: CONFERENCE PAPERS Are motion picture ratings reliable and Innovation and Creativity in valid? Integrating emotional and mental Education – 2nd World Conference on Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol 47, No. 5, Educational Sciences, in Istanbul, Turkey. Pp423-424 health throughout infancy, Vol. 2, No. 2 childhood and adolescence

Emilia, C (2010) Hofferth, SL (2010) Promotion and protection of the rights Home media and children’s 12-14 May 2011, Perth, WA of the child. achievement and behavior. Child Development, Vol 81, No. 5, Pp1598-1619 Pp1781-1785 www.sapmea.asn.au/aaimhi&fcap2011/

Tabone, S & Messina, L (2010) Membership rates (renewable on July 1st each year) $Aus (inc GST) AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL ON CHILDREN AND THE MEDIA Organisational Membership/Subscription Application National $210.00 Tax Invoice State $75.00 Individual $55.00 small screen subscription (for non-members) Name: ______In Australia $66.00 Organisation: ______Outside Australia $66.00 Address: ______New membership Renewal ______small screen subscription ______Donation (tax deductible $2 & over) ______Postcode:______Total

Fax: ______Payment by: cheque Email: ______credit card: Bankcard / Visa / Mastercard Expiry date: _____ Name on card: ______Donations to ACCM of $2 or more are tax deductible Card no: Tel: 61.8.8376.2111 Fax: 61.8.8376 2122 Helpline: 1800 700 357 l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l__l

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WORLD NEWS KIDS’ TV

Food advertising - reports from two Meanwhile, in Australia, the Federal Par- A selection of children’s programs countries liamentary Library has released a Research screened on TV during the period Paper, Marketing Obesity? Junk food, advertising and kids, that concludes that to In November 2006, the UK Government ABC 1 date, the Australian response to this issue introduced restrictions on television Potatoes and Dragons; Best Ed; Lizzie has emphasised the value of a self regula- advertising for food and drinks high in McGuire; Blast Lab; Play School; Fluffy tory regime. However, this approach may fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) during children’s Gardens; The Mr Men Show; The be modified in the future, as a result of a viewing time and around programs with a Revenge Files of Alistair Fury; Bolts and number of factors. These include growing disproportionately high child audience. Blip; Octonauts; Zigby; Louie. public demand for intervention and a shift ABC 2 Four years later a review into the in health policy more towards preventive Nelly and Caesar; 64 Zoo Lane; Igam effectiveness of the restrictions has found health than has been emphasised in the Ogam; Pororo the Little Penguin; Arthur; children are seeing on average up to 37% past. Babar; The Next Steps; Blanche; Wibbly less food and drink advertising since their Pig; Five Minutes More; Chuggington; The publication is available at: introduction. Humf; Peppa Pig; Milly, Molly; Nanigugu. http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/ ABC 3 rp/2010-11/11rp09.pdf The review compared the amount of HFSS Barney’s Barrier Reef; Prank Patrol; advertising children saw in 2005 before the Haiti through teenage eyes Bernard; Yakkity Yak; Gawayn; League restrictions were introduced, with 2009 of Super Evil; M.I. High; How to be Indie; once they had been established and found In October 2010, photojournalist Natasha Good Game: SP; CJ the DJ; Shaun the an overall decline in the amount of HFSS Fillion was commissioned by child rights Sheep; Spliced; Timmy Time. advertising to which these children were organisation Plan to train 22 Haitian teen- SEVEN exposed. Results from the study found that agers to document their lives after Janu- Staines Down Drains; Zeke’s Pad; Go younger children (4- 9 year olds) saw 52% ary’s earthquake. Go Stop; Backyard Science;Toybox; Sea less HFSS advertising whilst older children Princesses; Spit it Out. saw 22% less. Aged between 14 and 19, the teenagers NINE were given a crash course in photography, There has also been a sharp drop in Magical Tales; Lab Rats Challenge; The a digital camera and asked to record every- HFSS advertising featuring advertising Shak; The Three Little Pigs; Pixel Pinkie; thing about their existence over two week techniques considered attractive to G2G; The Sleepover Club; Dogstar. period . children, such as popular cartoon TEN characters. While advertisers continued to While most images of Haiti since the earth- Toasted TV; The Lost Children; Puzzle make use of celebrities, both in children’s quake have been taken by adults and focus Play; Totally Wild; Scope; H2O: Just Add and adult airtime, most of these are likely on destruction and violence, the ‘Through Water; Dex Hamilton: Alien Entomologist. to appeal principally to adults. Our Own Eyes’ project has enabled young NICKELODEON people to show people the real Haiti from True Jackson VP; Just Jordan; Life with There has also been a significant shift in the their perspective. Derek; The Naked Brothers Band; Neds balance of food and drink advertising on Declassified; The Mighty B!; Fanboy and television towards non-HFSS products According to Natasha, “They took the Chum Chum; ; Big Time Rish; project very seriously and exceeded my ex- ; Drake and Josh. More information about this review and pectations. With only two days training,the DISNEY CHANNEL these restrictions can be found at photos they took were inspiring and beau- Phineas and Ferb; Zeke and Luther; http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/ tiful.” Cory in the House; Sonny with a Chance;

binaries/research/tv-research/hfss- ; As the Bell http://www.plan-uk.org/newsroom/earth- review-final.pdf Rings; Hannah Montana. quake_haiti/haiti-through-our-own-eyes/