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Media Violence

Excessive exposure to violence through television, movies, video games and the internet is detrimental to children's emotional and social health. The effects of media violence is of course influenced by many other factors such as home environment, social interactions and supervision of viewing or playing time. By age 18 the average child will have witnessed more than 20 000 acts of violence through television alone (Chatfield, 2002). A national television study evaluated more than 10, 000 hours of broadcast. It was found that 61% of those hours portrayed glamorized or rewarded violence (Bar-on et al. 2001). Alarmingly, a high majority of violence was found in children's programming (Bar-on et al, 2001). Even though much of the studies have focussed on television and movies, early studies have show that internet and video game violence has an even more effect on children (Bar-on, et al. 2001).

The Effects Of Media Violence On Children

Some of the mental health issues that have been linked to excessive exposure to violence through various media are:
1. Aggressive behaviour
2. Desensitisation to violence
3. Depression
4. Nightmares
5. Fear
6. Sleep disorders

(Bar-on, et al. 2001)

Why?

Children are affected because they learn that violence is an acceptable answer to problem solving. Video games are even more detrimental because ther child gets to play the villian, and is often rewarded for committing violent acts. Whether or not a child learns to become violent is dependant on these and other factors:
1. The level of the child's development
2. Temperament
3. Self concept
4. Previous exposure to violence
(Vessey & Lee 2000).

How do Children Learn

One school of thought (Social Learning Theory) is that children learn by watching imitating and practicing new skills. Video games provide an ideal environment in which to foster aggressive behaviour in children. Games serve to normalise aggressive acts. The child is rewarded for each act of violent and video games are addictive. Violence also becomes fun which reduces the child's ability to feel someone elses pain.
1. Violence is portrayed as a quick fix for confict
2. Negative consequenses are not often shown
3. Violence is more often than not used by the hero
4. The hero is usually rewarded
5. Frequency and absence of consequences may lead susceptible children to accept violence as a natural part of life.

(Earles et al. 2002)

Using Media Wisely

I personally don't think that a total ban of television or video games is extremely useful. Media can be useful in fostering:
1. Creativity
2. Helpful social behaviour
3. Hand eye co ordination
4. Attention to detail
(Vessey & Lee,2000)
I guess though we as parents need to vigilant in the frequency and content of video games that our children are playing. Taking an active involvement in our children's lives we can play video games with them. We as parents should never be frightened to say no. There is a lot of ways to protect your child on the internet. However: "There is no substitute for close adult supervision and involvement in the lives of children" (Vessey & Lee 2000)

Reference:

Bar-on, M.E., Broughton, D. D., Buttrose, S., Corrigan, S., et al (2001). Media Violence Pediatrics, 108 (5) 1222-1226

. Chatfield, J. E. (2002) Influence of Media Violence on Children. (Statement from the Committee on Public Education of the American Academy of Pediatrics). American Family Physician 65 (4). 735-736.

Earles, K. A., Alexander, R., Johnson, M., Liverpool, J., McGhee, M. (2002). Media Influences on children and adolescents: violence and sex Journal of the National Medical Association 94, (9) 797-806.

Vessey, J.A., & Lee, J.E., (2000). Violent video games affecting our children Pediatric nursing, 26 (6) 607+.