9PM Watershed Ignored By Children

A new report published by specialist youth researchers, ChildWise, has revealed that children are watching more television than ever before and more likely to watch after the 9pm family watershed.

The ChildWise report is based on findings of regular research within a tightly controlled, nationwide sample of 883 children from the ChildWise school panel. Areas investigated include television and video, viewing, advertising awareness, magazine reading and radio listening but particular attention was given to childrens’ television viewing patterns.

ChildWise found that four in 10 boys and 28% of girls aged between seven and 17 watch TV past the watershed during the week. This rose to half the boys and 41% of girls at weekends. A spokesman for SMCR’s ChildWise unit said: ” It seems many children are ignoring the 9pm watershed. It obviously seems to mean very little in many households. There might well be an argument for moving the watershed to 10pm especially at weekends.”

According to the survey, children control viewing in the mornings and after school. Mothers are the main parental influence over viewing especially between 7pm and 9pm but fathers have more influence at the weekends.

The amount of viewing by children is dictated by ownership of the television. Children who had a television in their bedroom were found to watch the equivalent of an extra two films a week compared to those who watch the family set.

Of boys in the 7-10 age range with their own set, (52% of all boys surveyed), 61% watch more than 3 hours, 26% more than 5 hours and 10% more than 6 hours per day. Younger girls (7-10), watch significantly less TV than older girls.

ChildWise: 01603 630051