We interviewed Mr. Tim Collings, the inventor of the V-Chip. He is a University Professor, and teaches engineering. He likes what he does and has been doing it for 10 years so far. He is now teaching new technology using the Internet.

What gave you the idea for inventing the V-Chip?
When I was a student at the Simon Fraser University in 1989, an engineering student spent fourteen days cooped up in his room watching movies.   After this, he massacred fourteen students on campus.  

Why the V-Chip; what's wrong with the on/off button?
The V-Chip is not the only answer to the television violence problems, but it is probably the easiest one because it costs little and blocks programs without any use of switches involved.

When you invented the V-Chip, did you think that it would become a law in the U.S.?  What did you think of that?
I didn’t expect for it to become a law.  I definitely did not expect the reaction people had after the V-Chip  part of the Telecommunications Act, mostly because I thought of the V-Chip as only a small step in preventing violence on television.

If the V-Chip was not meant to be mandatory, how did you intend for it to be used?
I created it to be a tool for people who are upset by the   large amount of violent content on television. I think that it allows people to control shows and doesn’t limit the television’s audience, only what shows the audience watches.

Have a lot of people called to complain about the use of the V-Chip?
Not really. There has been some opposition from broadcasters who claim that the chip will cause a money loss. The legislation had already forced the broadcasters to create a rating code, however, so the chip is not a major affliction to the industry.

Why do you think TV violence has increased over the years?
Overall, I’m not sure why.

Many people against the V-Chip say that kids are smart enough to find a way around the chip, like reprogramming it.  What's your opinion on that?
There is a way to get around any technology. On this chip, there is a personal disable ID code with a number for one person in the household. Only that person can disarm it.

The ACLU and the TV networks in our country say that the V-Chip goes against the First Amendment.  What do you think?
I don’t think it does, but then again, I’m Canadian!   I’m not saying you can’t broadcast certain programs, just help to control them.

Do you think that TV violence causes kids to behave violently?
I think it effects you.  If you spend hours practicing piano, you might be a concert pianist. If you spend hours practicing or playing hockey, you might be an N.H.L. player. It’s the same with TV; if you spend hours watching violence, you’ll be more aggressive.

Since all of our questions have been serious, we'd like to ask; what is your favorite TV show?
I don’t watch it a lot. During the summer, we un-plugged it, and haven’t plugged it back in. If  we hadn’t done that, I’d probably watch hockey.

back to interviews or read our interview with Mr. Moulton or Ms. Siegel.

Home | History | V-Chip | Effects | Interviews | Lounge | Glossary | Bibliography | Credits | Talk Back | Survey