Fourth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

Television is part of the Filipino household and becomes an accessible tool for information and entertainment, and, normally, sets as centerpiece of the room where family members gather around and exchange communication. Television also imparts negativity among children, which is why TV ratings are imposed and parents are reminded for proper parental guidance. This study aims to know how parents communicate with their children while both of them are in front of the television, the reasons why parents accompany their children in watching television programs, the concept of parents’ understanding of TV ratings and how they use it in guiding their children, and how parents advise young viewers once inappropriate content flash on the screen. Hence, this study contributes to the growing knowledge about TV parenting. The research was conducted by means of in-depth interviews with the selected parents, observation during their TV viewing, and interviews with the experts from different fields such as communication, psychology, and sociology. The result shows that though parents have common reasons in accompanying their children during TV viewing time, they have different understanding of what TV ratings are, and their purpose. This leads to different usage of TV ratings in guiding the children and how parents advise them in watching TV programs with mature content. In conclusion, parents execute different communication styles and approaches with their children while they are watching television.