Children’s and Parents ’ Perception towards TV Programs and the Practice of Parental Mediation

This study examines the relationship among the variables: socio-demographic profile, perceptions of TV programs, practice of parental mediation, and TV exposure. A survey of 300 children (aged 8-13 years old) and 300 parents from international and local Thai schools in Bangkok reveals that regardless of age, sex, and ethnic origin, children have high TV exposure (more than 2 hours a day and almost daily). Most make their own program choices and only half claimed their parents set rules on their TV viewing. Type of school attended and the presence of fathers at home influence children’s level and frequency of TV exposure. Children’s sex, ethnic origin, and school influence perceptions towards some TV programs; and, their school, age, sex, and family relations affect mediation style. Parents co-view at least for an hour to 2 hours on weekdays; and, higher on week-ends (more than 2 hours); their sex, ethnic origin, number of children, and children’s school influence perceptions towards certain programs; while, family relations and children’s school influence mediation style. Both differ in perceptions towards action programs, restrictive mediation, and family relations; but they concur that active mediation and co-viewing are more often practiced. Both were uncertain whether most TV programs contain positive or negative content