small screen News Digest of Australian Council on Children and the Media (incorporating Young Media ) ISSN: 0817-8224 No. 275 May 2011 Psychiatrists express concern about child beauty pageants Know Before You Go - as close as your It’s tax time & there is still phone! time to make a tax deductible In a statement issued on 27 May, the Royal Australian and A grateful mother has sent us the following donation to

College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Child letter about our movie review service: and Adolescent Psychiatry expressed alarm Australian Council on I am writing to let you know how useful your at the proposal to hold a competitive child ‘Know Before You Go’ movie review service Children & the Media beauty pageant in Melbourne, involving was on the weekend. I was at the video store children from the age of one month old. To support us in our campaign for with my 9 year old son, who was pestering me to watch a movie that I wasn’t sure was healthy use of the media go to “While the owner of the pageant emphasises appropriate for him, so instead of my usual ‘a positive fun-filled atmosphere’, this is a guessing game involving ratings and reading superficial and naive statement. She has said www.childrenandmedia.org.au the cover of the DVD, I used my mobile phone that it encourages ‘positive self confidence… to go directly to the movie review of the film on striving to be your very best’. However the ac- the ACCM website, which simply stated that companying photograph of.. (a).. five year old Violence not the attraction for children. this movie was not suitable for U13’s because beauty star .....exposes both inherent exploita- it had high levels of violence. My son accepted A recent US study concludes that violence tion and the representational sexualisation of this information, especially when he could see doesn’t add anything to children’s children,” said Dr Phillip Brock, Chair of it on my phone, realising that it wasn’t just enjoyment of animated programs and their The Royal Australian and New Zealand me being ‘too strict’. characters. College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. We then used the ACCM website to choose a The researchers from Indiana University suitable movie for my son and left the store used a sample group of 128 school children, Dr Brock stated that the Faculty relaxed and happy. I was extremely grateful ranging in age from five to 11 and from for this resource at this time, because it took “would like to emphasise the potential devel- kindergarten to the fourth grade. There the ‘pressure off’ choosing a video, both for me opmental harm that can be associated with the were a nearly equal number of boys and and my son, and the movie we chose was en- sexualisation of children and tweens. Sexuali- girls. joyed by the whole family. sation is a process whereby a child’s value is Each child was shown one of four versions based on their appearance or behavior to the Reviews of over 600 movies are available of a five-minute animated short film exclusion of other characteristics, and the at- on the ACCM website at tractiveness as a child is equated with being created for the study and then led through sexy,” http://www.youngmedia.org.au/media- a questionnaire. The short was designed children/07_04_choose_films.htm to resemble familiar slapstick cartoons. “There are many healthy contexts for dressing Four different versions of the cartoon up, parading, role rehearsal and participation STOP PRESS were used. Six violent scenes were added in school performances etc where children can to one version, which was carried out by act out their development in an age appropri- Release of the Bailey report both characters and in response to earlier ate manner.” aggression. Nine action scenes were added The report of an in independent review into the to another version. Two other versions had “Direct participation and competition for a commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood lower amounts of action or violence. beauty prize convey messages relating to the has been released in the UK. The report, Letting desirable self, social and personal values, and Children be Children, was commissioned by the Violence had no direct effect on the liking of shape emotional and psychological develop- Department of Education. the cartoon, but did decrease boys’ wishful ment. Infants and girls are objectified and identification with the anthropomorphized judged against sexualised ideals. The mental Reg Bailey and his team listened to parents’ characters. Non-violent action increased health and developmental consequences of concerns about the barriers they face in bringing liking for males but not for females. this are significant and impact on identity, up their children and his recommendations self esteem, and body perception,” include measures to make it easier for parents Weaver, A et al (2011) Liking Violence to protect their children from sexualised and and Action: An Examination of Gender The full statement can be read on the commercialised material. Differences in Children’s Processing of RANZCP website at Animated Content. Media Psychology, Vol The report is available at 14, Issue 1, Pp 49 - 70 http://www.ranzcp.org/index2. php?option=com_content&do_ https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/ http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_ pdf=1&id=690 eOrderingDownload/Bailey%20Review.pdf releases/2011-05/iu-nsf052311.php

RANZCP CONCERN ABOUT CHILD EDITORIAL: R18+ FOR GAMES WOTWOTS: AN E-BOOK WINNER BEAUTY PAGEANTS KNOW BEFORE YOU GO BENEFITS FROM ACTIVE VIOLENCE NOT THE ATTRACTION - AS CLOSE AS YOUR PHONE COMPUTER GAMES small screen May 2011 p2

EDITORIAL R18+for games?: proposals and counter We find that : proposals. • the insertion in nearly all no. 275 May 2011 On 20th April, the ACCM wrote to all Federal, classification categories, and small screen State and Territory Ministers responsible for assessable elements, of the Editor: Barbara Biggins OAM censorship, setting out our proposals for a child- phrase ”must not be related to Compiler: Caroline Donald friendly system for classifying computer games. incentives or rewards” is not Barbara Biggins OAM Editorial Board: Barbara Biggins, We argued for the separation of the classification new, nor are apparently new Jane Roberts, Judy Bundy, Hon CEO systems for films and games, and for establishing statements about interactivity. Elizabeth Handsley. just four classification categories: G, PG, MA15+ These are all there now in the small screen is published at the and R18+. This new MA15+ category would allow opening section “Assessing impact” of the beginning of each month and only moderate impact material (as for former M present guidelines. reports on the events of the category) and the new R18+ category would allow • the new statements about drug use “not previous month 11 issues per only “strong impact” content (as for previous being detailed and realistic” are puzzling in year (Dec/Jan double issue) that we were not aware that drug use was a Published by MA15+). This would have the effect of moving, for example, very violent content into higher, legally big problem with games, whereas violence Australian Council on clearly is, and there are few changes that will Children and the Media enforceable, categories. The current M category contains material that is not recommended under help that problem. (ACCM) • the new sentence under violence at MA15+ PO Box 447 15 years, but is often ignored. contains the phrase “strong and realistic Glenelg 5045 South Australia Moving MA15+ content into a new R18+ category violence should not be very frequent”. So [email protected] would satisfy many of those who support there could still be strong and realistic www.youngmedia.org.au having an R18+ category for games because they violence that was frequent. How are classifiers Tel: +61 8 8376 2111 mistakenly believe that the very violent games in to distinguish between frequent and very Fax: +61 8 8376 2122 MA15+ will be pushed up into it (thus making it frequent?? The present criteria already provide Helpline: 1800 700 357 harder for children to access). This had not been for a judgement of higher impact if “a scene is ACCM is a national, non-profit the intention of the proposals for introducing an repeated frequently”. How does the change community organisation. R18+ category: that was rather to allow even more ensure that problematic violence is no longer Its mission is to promote a extreme material. permitted at MA15+? quality media environment for • the new R18+ for games is virtually identical Australian children. The ACCM has had responses from 5 of the 9 to that for films, except for the addition of a Attorneys General, with none so far expressing No part of this publication statement that actually already categorises may be reproduced without support for our suggestions. Two (ACT and what goes in to RC.(Refused Classification). permission of the Editor. WA) said that the main purpose of having a So for anyone hoping for greater protection for Contributions are welcome. new R18+ category was that gamers could have “higher impact games”. That’s precisely what children - this won’t do it. we understood in the beginning, but we were outraged when the message used throughout the By contrast, the SA AG, is proposing a system that past year’s campaign was not that, but instead offers the promise of better protection for children, ACCM’s services are emphasised “this will protect children better’. while still accommodating gamers’ intense desire supported by a grant And many of the public bought that message. to be able to play more extreme games. SA AG from the John Rau, would accept the Federal Govt proposal South Australian On 25/5 Federal Minister for Home Affairs, to introduce an R18+ category, but wants a scheme Brendan O’Connor, released his proposed draft in which the MA15+ classification is rolled into Government new guidelines for public comment by June 22. the new R18+ classification. The available In his accompanying media release the Minister categories in the Rau proposal would be G, PG, said that “The Gillard Government wants to M and R18+. The SA Government would prohibit provide better guidance for parents and remove the sale of any game labelled MA15+. ACCM’s Web Page and unsuitable material from children and teenagers,” None of the AGs has yet really acknowledged Broadband access He claimed that “the introduction of an R18+ classification will help achieve that and will how hard it is for even responsible parents to keep are supported by its portable R18+ items such as DVDs and games out Internet Service Provider also bring Australia into line with comparable nations”. He said, “the draft guidelines make it of the hands of children. It’s seems it’s still the case clear that sexually explicit games or games with that adult rights are more important than ensuring Internode very frequent, strong and realistic violence will not the best supports for parents bringing up children in an increasingly toxic media environment. be allowed in the MA15+ category,” The proposed measures are supposed to address the difference NOTES between films and computer games, especially in 1) ACCM sees whatever is to be done with computer Publication and terms of interactivity, and ensure that the Refused games now as a stop gap measure, until the Aust Law printing of small screen Classification category is retained. Reform Commission has explored issues with the whole is supported by a On close examination of the O’Connor proposals, Classification Scheme later this year. donation from we cannot see that they offer the claimed “better 2) A recent article by Sacks, Bushman & Anderson guidance” and “removal of unsuitable material”. explores further the weight of evidence of harm from For a start, many of the insertions into the proposed violent computer games guidelines are merely transfers of phrases from http://colloquy.law.northwestern.edu/ the introductory section of the present film and games guidelines, and don’t add any new levels 3) Helpful advice for parents dealing with a teenage of protection. sons addiction to computer games can be found at http://cmch.typepad.com/mediatrician/ Clips ‘n’ Cuts small screen no. 275 May 2011 small screen May 2011 p4 small screen May 2011 p5 small screen May 2011 p6

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ADVERTISING Hamel, LM et al (2011) Radon, K et al (2011) Hanewinkel, R et al (2011) Computer- and web-based interventions Feasibility of activity-promoting video Cigarette advertising and teen smoking to increase preadolescent physical games among obese adolescents and initiation. activity: a systematic review. young adults in a clinical stting. Pediatrics, Vol. 127, No. 2, PpE271-E278 Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 67, No. 2, Journal of Science and Medicine, Vol. 14, No. Pp251-268 1, Pp42-45 MacKay, S et al (2011) Jackson, LA et al (2011) A comprehensive approach to protecting Hamlen, Karla (2011) children from unhealthy food advertising Internet use, videogame playing and Children’s choices and strategies in and promotion. cell phone use as predictors of children’s video games. Obesity Policy Coalition. body mass index (BMI), body weight, Computers in Behavior, Vol. 27, No. academic performance, and social and 1, Pp532-539 overall self-esteem. CLASSIFICATION Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 27, No. Rothmund, T et al (2011) Gentile, DA (2011) 1, Pp599-604 Of virtual victims and victimized virtues: The rating systems for media products. differential effects of experienced in Handbook of Children, Media and Bener, A et al (2010) aggression in video games. Development, In Calvert, SL & Wilson, BJ, Do excessive Internet use, television Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. (Eds), P640 Hdbk viewing and poor lifestyle habits affect 37, No. 1, Pp107-119 low vision in school children? Dale, LP et al (2011) Journal of Child Health Care, Vol. 14, No. 4, Lemmens, JS et al (2011) Program ratings do not predict negative Pp375-385 Psychosocial causes and consequences content in commercials on children’s of pathological gaming. channels. MEDIA EFFECTS - SOCIAL Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 27, No. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Walsh, SP et al (2011) 1, Pp144-152 Pediatrics, Vol. 32, No. 1, Pp1-7 Keeping in constant touch: The predictors of young Australians’ mobile Becker-Olsen, KL & Norberg, PA(2010) VIOLENCE phone involvement. Caution, animated violence: assessing Journal of Advertising, Vol. 39, 4, Sp. Iss. Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 27, No. the effecacy of violent video game 1, Pp333-342 Jones, T et al (2010) ratings. Violence in advertising: A multilayered Journal of Advertising, Vol. 39, 4, Pp83-94 Kayiran, SM et al (2010) content analysis. Electronic media use by children in Pp11-36 COMPUTERS & INTERNET families of high socioeconomic level and Jackson, LA et al (2011) familial factors. Capella, ML et al (2010) A longitudinal study of the effects of Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 52, No. 5, The imapct of violence against women Internet use and videogame playing Pp491-499 in advertisements. on academic performance and the roles Pp37-51 of gender, race and income in these VIDEO GAMES relationships. Sacks, D; Bushman, B; Anderson, C(2011) Gulas, CS et al (2010) Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 27, No. Do violent video games harm children? It’s just a joke: violence against males in 1, Pp228-239 Comparing the scientific amicus curiae humorous advertising. experts in Brown v. Entertainment Pp109-120 Baumgartner, SE et al (2010) Merchants Association. Unwanted online sexual solicitation and Northwestern University Law Review, Vol Ashworth, L et al (2010) risky sexual online behavior across the 106, 1 The role of dominance in the appeal of lifespan. violent media depictions. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Krcmar, M et al (2011) Pp121-134 Vol. 31, No. 6, Pp439-447 The effects of video game realism on attention, retention and aggressive Burrow-Sanchez, JJ et al (2011) outcomes. How school counselors can help prevent Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 27, No. CONFERENCES online victimization. 1, Pp432-439 Journal of Counseling & Development, Vol. 89, No. 1, Pp3-10 Hamlen KR (2010) The Children’s Media Re-examining gender differences in Conference Smith, Mark (2011) video game play: Time spent and feelings How to save face online. of success. The Adelaide Advertiser, 28 May, 2011 Journal of Educational Computing Research, Thinking differently Vol. 43, No. 3, Pp293-308 MEDIA EFFECTS - HEALTH Hardoff, D & Rigler, S (2011) Guin, E; Bickham, D; Rich, M (2011) 6-8 July 2011 Teens ask doctors on the Internet: A Problematic video game play from the one-year survey of an adolescent health adolescent perspective: Prevalence and Sheffield UK Internet forum. associations with game factors and Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 48, No. 2, health status in a changing interactive http://www.thechildrensmediaconference. environment. Suppl. 1, PpS47-S48 com/register Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol. 48, No. 2, Suppl. 1, PpS100-S101 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

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WORLD NEWS KIDS’ TV

WotWots: an e-Book winner gaming could play a role in helping A selection of children’s programs Internationally successful New Zealand children stay active. screened on TV during the period children’s brand, the WotWots, has won a “The study findings show that this - tech Parents’ Choice Award for its first e-Book nology has the potential to be a useful ABC 1 (Now only afternoon programs ) application. The book, ‘Lanky Landing addition to a raft of health interventions. Play School; Octonauts; Curious George; Legs’, received the Parents’ Choice Award It could have significant implications for Gawayn;A Kind of Magic; Pat and Stan; in the Spring 2011 Mobile Apps catego- how health professionals combat the obes- Naturally Sadie; Prank Patrol; Mr. Men. ry and is available as a free download at ity epidemic or develop rehabilitation pro- ABC 2 iTunes stores globally. grammes,” he said. Fireman Sam; Zigby; LazyTown; Bookaboo; Thomas and Friends; ‘Lanky Landing Legs’ is based on the third “Also because of the appeal of tradi- Sesame Street; Timmy Time; Kingdon episode from the WotWots television se- tional video games, at an individual of Parimithi; Pinky Dinky Doo; Penelope; ries and has a multitude of interactive fea- level, parents may have more success Blinky Bill; The Hive; 64 Zoo Lane; tures. encouraging the substitution of seden- Florrie’s Dragons; The Mole Sisters; The WotWots follows the adventures of tary video games with more active ones.” Hilltop Hospital; Little Charlie Bear. two siblings from outer space, SpottyWot ABC 3 Maddison, R et al (2011) Effects of active and DottyWot. They come to explore plan- Bugged; Roy; Monk; League of Super video games on body composition: a ran- et earth in their steam-powered spaceship Evil; BTN Extra; Go Lingo!;Backyard domized controlled trial. The American and arrive in the middle of a zoo. The series Science; A World of Wonders; The Latest Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 93 (6) was filmed in Australia and New Zealand. Buzz; Aisling’s Summer Diary; Roman http://www.ajcn.org/content/ear- Mysteries; The Slammer; Sumo Mouse; http://www.wetanz.com/ipad-applica- ly/2011/05/11/ajcn.110.009142.short Escape from Scorpion Island. tion-wins-the-wotwots-a-parents-choice- SEVEN award/ What were they thinking? Toybox; It’s Academic; Legend of Enyo; Castaway. Benefits from active computer games A new video game in which the player stalks and shoots fellow students and NINE Another report from New Zealand finds teachers in school settings is drawing fire Magical Tales; Kitchen Whiz; G2G; Kids that, after two years of research, scientists from school district officials in the US. WB; Ben 10. have found that computer games can be TEN good for children. The study by the Uni- “School Shooter: North American Tour Totally Wild; Wurrawhy; Me and my versity of Auckland has been looking into 2012” is a first-person game that allows the Monsters; Scope; K-9. how sustained use of games which have an player to move around a school and collect NICKELODEON active element, like dance mats or motion points by killing defenceless students and The of Madagascar; Shaun sensors, can be good for overweight chil- teachers. the ; ; Team dren. Umizoomi; Hi 5; ; The game was developed by Checker- ; ; More than 300 children took part in the boarded Studios, who specialise in satirical ; ; ; Back study and results showed a positive effect modifications of other games. It is unlikely at the Barnyard; Drake & Josh; The on the body mass index of the active gam- that many parents and teachers would be Troop; True Jackson VP; iCarly. ers aged between 10 and 14, compared to amused by this one. the control group of children who were not DISNEY CHANNEL regularly playing the games. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/ Fish Hooks; Zeke and Luther; Phineas 04/22/29video.h30.html?tkn=POYFxF5xhB and Ferb; Wizards of Waverly Place; Principal investigator Dr Ralph Maddison FI9BDvUBCCnzO4O8WxkkHvK9wP&cm Sonny with a Chance; Pair of Kings; The said the effects were small, but showed p=clp-edweek Emperor’s New School; That’s so Raven.