S.R. 4 Enrolled

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING PARENTS OVERSIGHT
OF CHILDREN'S TELEVISION VIEWING
1998 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Scott N. Howell
Lorin V. Jones
David H. Steele
Howard A. Stephenson

A RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE
IN THEIR CHILDREN'S TELEVISION VIEWING HABITS AND USE AVAILABLE
TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP DIRECT FAMILY TELEVISION VIEWING HABITS.
Be it resolved by the Senate of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS never in the history of television has there been a wider array of programming
available for the entertainment and education of American families;
WHEREAS in 1976, the American Medical Association stated "TV violence is a risk factor
threatening the health and welfare of young Americans, indeed our future society";
WHEREAS since 1976, not only the violent but the sexual content of some television
programs has risen dramatically, leading to potentially harmful, lifelong consequences for children
exposed to it;
WHEREAS on average, children are bombarded by 20,000 commercial television
messages each year;
WHEREAS these conditions have created an increased need for parents to exercise
guidance in their family's viewing habits;
WHEREAS although it ultimately controls what viewers will see, the television industry
is quick to point out that what we see is based on viewer and advertiser preferences;
WHEREAS parents, working with their children, can guide the viewing habits of the
family and take steps necessary to protect their children from television programming that would
be harmful for their children to view;
WHEREAS technology available through cable television allows parents and guardians
to economically and efficiently control and guide television programming for their children; and
WHEREAS parents can lead their families in the selection of television programs that meet

their entertainment interests and stimulate valuable discussion in an environment safe from unwanted
media influences:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the state of Utah encourage
parents to guide the selection of television programs by the members of their family, and to utilize
the technologies available through cable television to direct their children's television viewing habits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to TCI Cable and the
Utah Parent Teachers Association.

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