The National Council for Children’s Television – NCCT – recently held the Regional Launch of the Child-Friendly Content Standards and the second national Research titled “The Filipino Child’s Media World: Media Consumption, Parental Mediation Strategies, and the Elementary Learner’s Classroom Performance,” at The Mansion, October 1.
NCCT Project Development Officer II Judy Galleta said the program will help content creators to produce child-friendly content. The organization will be closely monitoring broadcasting studios that air children’s content.
While NCCT has no sanctioning power over the airtime, they can raise concerns to the National Telecommunications Commission Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for airtime and content violation.
Media Consumption Research
NCCT Project Development Officer II Patty Gentallan, RPm unveiled the study with 2,203 students, teachers, and parents taking part in the survey. One of the main variables of the study was Media Consumption for Grades 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 based on the experience and observance of both parents and children. Media consumption includes television-viewing, video-gaming, and social media usage.
The research showed impact and shock from constituents as to what these early learners have to watch on media.
For instance, ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ ranked as the most viewed by children Grades 1 to 3, followed by ‘It’s Showtime’ and ‘Meteor Garden.’ According to the study, primary learners are also seen to watch television at 0.83 hours on weekdays and 1.89 on weekends.
TV viewing of children from Grades 4 to 6 didn’t seem to stray away from the early graders. Their top choice were ‘It’s Showtime,’ ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,’ and ‘Meteor Garden.’ These intermediate learners watch an average of 1.70 hours on weekdays and 3.70 hours on weekends.
Meanwhile, early graders’ video game preferences were also studied. Roblox came first, followed by Paw Patrol and Gatcha. Intermediate learners prefer Minecraft, Roblox, and Helix Jump.
Primary learners also like to watch Barbie, Frozen, and Minecraft on YouTube, while intermediate ones prefer 5-minute Crafts, DIY Crafts, and Minecraft.
On social media, 281 Grades 1 to 3 children already have their Facebook account, 41 have Twitter account, 72 have Instagram account, and 126 have Snapchat. About 450 grades 4 to 6 children have Facebook, 88 have Twitter, 452 have Instagram, and 153 have Snapchat.
R.A. No. 8370, Children’s Television Act of 1997
The NCCT, created pursuant to R.A. No. 8370 or the Children’s Television Act of 1997, is an attached agency of the Department of Education primarily mandated to promote media education and to produce quality television programs that will help develop the knowledge, skills, values, and strong sense of national identity of the Filipino child.
Section 9 of said law requires a minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the daily total airtime of each broadcasting network to be allotted to child-friendly shows as part of the network’s responsibility of serving the public.
To ensure the broadcast of child-friendly shows, Section 7 (d) directs the Council to formulate, together with the television broadcast industry, a set of standards for television programs shown during child-viewing hours and work closely with the industry for the adoption and implementation of the said standards.
The Standards encompasses what a child-friendly program is which shall comprise 15% of the total airtime of each network.
On April 12, 2019, NCCT launched the Child-Friendly Content Standards and gained the force and effect of the law 15 days after its publication in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, as prescribed by law. Thus, NCCT wants to extend its reach into a more inclusive setting thorough regional launching and research presentation.
Research done by
Gentallan, P.V.S., Bueno A.P.D. Hilario J.I.A., Abanto, F.L., Francisco, J.C. & Guitierrez J.P.G. (2019). The Filipino Child’s Media World: Media Consumption, Parental Mediation Strategies, and Elementary Learner’s Classroom Performance(1st ed). Pasig City: National Council for Children’s Television.
