Study Shows Massive Increase in Movie Profanity--Concerning to Faith-based Viewers
SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 5, 2014 /
Christian Newswire/ --
VidAngel puts parents back in the Internet driver's seat with its new website and filtering app. Vidangel allows families to stream movies & watch YouTube minus the bosoms, blood, or bad words pummeling viewers on the web. Like an ultimate remote control, VidAngel BETA is now available to give movie and video fans the option to filter out offensive content and still enjoy the genius of Hollywood and YouTube.
In a survey of 949 movies published since 1945, a VidAngel study found never before released data on the exponential increase of swear word frequency over time. From less than 10 swears per movie in the 40's to a whopping average near 50 swears per movie in 2013. The Wolf of Wall Street released in 2013 includes 798 swears and other potentially offensive language.
Study Graph.
"These findings align with my own study published in
Pediatrics journal regarding profanity, media, and adolescents. We discovered that hearing profanity in the media is associated with greater acceptance of and increased profanity in real life," states Sarah Coyne, PhD, a college professor of human development. "Hardly anyone is looking at this topic in the academic community, but it is an important aspect of media to examine. I am introducing the VidAngel research findings to my media students."
"The average viewer may have no idea of these numbers, but may have a general uneasiness about this onslaught of swearing. This is especially true among Christian and other conservative viewer groups," explains Neal Harmon, CEO of VidAngel. "Our data reveals that viewers would watch more of otherwise great movies if given the choice to screen content. VidAngel's maximizes this choice for viewers, providing the Family Cut for streaming. With 250,000 VidAngel video views and 85,000 website visitors in our first 48 hous of existence, we think pent up demand for our service is pretty high."
Think Wikipedia collaboration for family-friendly video filters. VidAngel is powered by a rapidly growing volunteer community of avid fans of family-friendly video. Community members tag potentially offensive swearing, sex and violence in movies, TV shows and YouTube videos. These tags provide a customizable filter so viewers control what they see and hear based on their personal values and content preferences.
During VidAngel's BETA testing over 10,000 families subscribed to VidAngel to create their own cut of each movie for just their family. Viewers choose exactly what they want to filter, meaning turn off just F-words, or just one nude scene, or any of thousands of configurations. VidAngel's wildly successful launch video drives home the point at
http://ow.ly/zy3aT.
"VidAngel is like a really powerful remote control," explains Harmon, "You set up your remote before you start your movie and then enjoy the show without worrying about covering your kids eyes."
About one half of 900 U.S. families polled say they prefer a more family friendly version of movies if given the option. Even more surprising, nine out of ten movies rented on the VidAngel system would NOT have been watched without filtering. This means that 90 percent of VidAngel rentals are NEW business for Hollywood and Google Play.
VidAngel's approach to filtering is legal and explicitly protected by the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act of 2005. This law protects your right to remove "limited portions of audio or video content of a motion picture, during a performance in or transmitted to that household for private home viewing, from an authorized copy of the motion picture."
Join the VidAngel community and filter favorite movies, TV shows and YouTube videos for free on desktop or laptop computers. Because VidAngel uses Google Play and YouTube, fans can easily rent almost all new releases, including new releases not available on Netflix. Initially available for Google Chrome browser, extended functionality and access is under rapid development.
About VidAngel
VidAngel is founded by the Harmon brothers who grew up in a faith-based home in rural Idaho. As young parents, they saw the need for providing great entertainment, without worrying about what their young children were watching. They are best known for creating award winning YouTube sensations with tens of millions of viewers. They co-founded award winning YouTube breakthroughs Orabrush and Orapup. www.VidAngel.com
Media Contact:
Danielle Durange
PilmerPR
704-350-5373
