A survey of 394 parents and second- through sixth-grade children was conduc
ted to understand why parents mediate violent television and how children i
nterpret mediation messages. The study found that parents with negative att
itudes toward violent television used active and restrictive mediation and
parents with positive attitudes used coviewing. According to children, rest
rictive mediation signaled parental disapproval of the content but active m
ediation and coviewing served as endorsements.