Video violence does it hurt?

If people watch violence on film or TV screens, does it make them more violent? If so, what should we do about it? Should we censor films, videos and TV programmes? Britain, for example, has stricter censorship rules for films and TV than any other countries in Europe. Under 18s are not allowed to see very violent films in the cinemas, and any TV programmes with violent scenes must be shown after 9pm. The British Board of Film Classification and TV companies even cut violent films for adults - which many people say is going too far. But there is still violent crime in Britain. What's the answer? This month, OUTLOOK presents some different aspects of the issue — see what you think.

• In Britain, videos are already classified as 'PG' (parental guidance — if your parents think you can watch it, it's OK), '15' and '18' -recommended for only over fifteens or over eighteens. But there is not much control over children hiring videos from shops. James Ferman, the director of the British Board of Film Classification, believes that there should be more information on the packaging of videos to explain what the film is about, and whether there is violence in it.

• 'I think it depends how you show violence. You can make it look good and enjoyable, or you can show how terrible it really is,' — a young London filmgoer.

• Many families now have a video recorder. These are easy to operate, and the younger members of a family can quite easily video anything they want from the TV - no matter what time it's shown, or how violent it is.

• A view of some writers on social issues is this: 'Millions of people watch violent films and violent TV programmes, but they don't all go out and commit crimes. So is there really a link? Violent people will always be violent, whether they watch violent videos or not.

• Silence of the Lambs was given an '18' certificate in Britain: only over eighteens were allowed into cinemas to see it. But Sir Anthony Hopkins, who played the murderer Hannibal Lector in the film, was very concerned to discover that many school children had watched the film on video. He may refuse to take part in any sequel to the film.

• Steven Spielberg said he would not let his own children watch his film Jurassic Park. Director Stanley Kubrick withdrew his film A Clockwork Orange from Britain, after youths were seen dressed in the same fashion as the violent street gangs in the film, committing the same violent acts.

• A two-year-old boy, James Bulger, was murdered in Liverpool, England, last year. His murderers were two boys aged ten. The public were horrified, and everyone asked the question: 'What's happened to the young of this country?' A common answer was: they watch violent videos. Is that true? Did the boys commit the murder just because they'd seen violent videos? Or were there other reasons? People also point to a general lack of values in modern society. They talk about the 'me' generation: you look after yourself, you get whatever you want, and you do whatever you want. There are no rules any more. The problem could be deeper than just violent videos.

• Alan Yentob, the controller of the British TV channel BBC 1, does not believe that people copy violence from scenes they see on television. He has said that he thinks TV programmes - even fictional ones - have to reflect truthfully the world we live in, which is sometimes violent. But he does think TV stations should be responsible about what they show, and keep children in mind.

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