children dramatically change their approach to television. Although they spend about the same amount of time near an operating set as younger children, they pay attention three or four times as much, to the point where they are paying attention for almost half the time the set is on. The effects of media have now become three to four times greater. This means that if there is violence, it is much more likely to have an effect on children at this age. Toddlers are capable of learning verbal and non-verbal behaviors from the television. While this does not necessarily mean that they will become violent through watching it on television, it does lay the groundwork for future influence.
             Television and the media become major sources of influence when children reach the age of three to five years. The main source of television input is cartoons. Cartoons are extremely violent, averaging "20 to 25 violent acts per hour compared with five violent acts per hour in prime time programming." Josephson's study says, "With their preference for cartoons, preschoolers are therefore being exposed to large numbers of violent acts in their viewing day. Based on their viewing patterns, it has been estimated that, by the time they start school, children will have seen an average of 8,000 murders and 100,000 assorted other acts of violence and destruction on television." Now in the case of cartoons, it is important to remember "that it is not the violence itself that makes cartoons attractive to preschoolers but the formal features of cartoons, such as rapid character movement, sound effects, and loud music. Children are just as attracted to nonviolent cartoons." Parents should closely monitor what their child is watching at this age.
             Ages six to eleven, children are able to watch more television. They stay up later and their parents do not usually monitor what they are watching at this age. Josephson believes, "the age of eight is critical in t...