WHEREAS, The average American youth spends more than 45 hours per week exposed to various types of media – television, film, video games, the Internet and music witnessing violent incidents through these forms of media by the time they turn 18 years old; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 1,000 different scientific studies have led to the conclusion that media violence increases levels of aggression among children and youth in the short term and is a significant risk factor that increases the likelihood of violent behavior; and
WHEREAS, National experts from the U. S. Surgeon General’s office, the National Institute of Mental Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have all concluded that repeated exposure to media violence can lead children to view violence as an acceptable means of settling conflicts; and
WHEREAS, The health and welfare of youth in Philadelphia is of utmost importance to the quality of life enjoyed by residents; and
WHEREAS, The 2007 National League of Cities has called on America’s local elected officials to raise the level of parental awareness about the impact that media violence can have on children; and
WHEREAS, The City should work with parent teacher associations and other community groups to encourage and assist adults in taking a more active role in monitoring the types of media to which children have access; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby support the National League of Cities and their efforts to promote greater awareness of the negative impacts of violent media on children and to encourage the development of programs that assist families and children in using critical media literacy skills.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That Philadelphia should work to increase public awareness for young people to consider positive alternatives, such as the City’s new public access channel or encourage participation in community-sponsored activities for youth.
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