Is The Simpsons Too Violent?

Anyone who watches The Simpsons knows that occasionally a character falls down the stairs, or drops into the Springfield Gorge, or even dies. Homer Simpson strangles Bart in almost every episode. The concern for too much violence on television has been growing. But, how much does it really affect people, children especially?

The V-Chip is in every television set 13 inches or larger manufactured after January 2000 and some sets sold after July 1, 1999. This means if you bought a new television set after July 1, 1999, your television is most likely equipped with a V-Chip.

TV ratings are available now at the beginning of most TV shows. These ratings are intended to help parents decide whether or not the show is appropriate for a child or teenager to watch.

After Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl, TV networks are twitchy, using five second delays on live broadcasts such as the Academy Awards and the Grammys. Also, the first new law likely to pass is a bill boosting the maximum penalty for indecency violations from $27,500 to a whopping $500,000. Indecency, according to the Parents Television Council, includes violence.

In June of 1995, two separate bills were introduced in the U.S. congress calling for the use of a television program rating system and the insertion of V-chip technology in all new television receivers manufactured.

According to a 1996 poll of Texans previously posted by National Coalition on Television Violence, the majority are worried about the amount of violence shown in television shows. But the viewers polled also indicated that they still want to see "action" in tv programs.

In February of 1996, a new U.S. Telecommunications Bill was passed. It includes provisions requiring TV manufacturers to install V-chip devices in all television sets with a 13 inch screen or larger, which will allow consumers to block "sexual, violent, and other material about which parents should be informed before it is displayed to children."

By 1997, the American television, cable and production community announced its intention to establish and implement a voluntary program rating system.