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Stop
Teaching Our Kids to Kill
The 11 Myths of Media Violence
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Media Violence and Its Effect on Aggression
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PARENTING RESOURCES
Violence in the Media—Effects
on Child Behavior
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By
Kelly Nault
 It’s no secret that we’re living in a violent world. Between news reports on
terrorism, bullying at school, and violence in the media, our children are
exposed to all kinds of aggression. It’s also no secret that such violence
can have negative effects on child behavior and development.
While you probably can’t quash violence in the media, bring a halt to
terrorism, or even stop the school bully from picking fights on the
playground, you can control your child’s exposure to violence. And when your
son or daughter is exposed to violence (sadly, it’s bound to happen), you
can reduce the negative effects on child behavior by discussing that act of
violence with your son or daughter.
Violent World +
Busy World = Trouble
Not only do we live in a violent world, but we also live in a busy world, a
world that often leaves moms little time to supervise what they’re children
watch on TV. The unfortunate result is exposure to violence in the media.
If there wasn’t so much violence in the media, effects on child behavior may
be minimal—even. Everything in moderation, right? But sadly, television and
movie violence is certainly not delivered “in moderation.” Some experts
estimate that by the time most kids reach age 13, they have already seen
more than 100,000 incidents of violence!
The National Television Violence Study, the largest ongoing scientific study
of television violence, concluded that television violence tends to be
sanitized, sensationalized and glamorized. This manipulation of the truth
nature of violence has negative effects on child behavior. Dr. Barbara
Wilson, senior researcher, states that, “Younger children have difficulty
distinguishing televised fantasy from reality, and are therefore at
increased risk of imitating cartoon violence.”
According to this same study, witnessing television violence causes children
to:
1. Become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others;
2. Have heightened fear in the world; and
3. Demonstrate increased aggression and violent behavior toward others.
It’s easy to see that violence in the media has unfortunate effects on child
behavior, which is why it’s so important for moms to monitor what their kids
are watching.
Limiting the Exposure of Violence in the Media and Reducing its Effects
Getting ready to throw out the TV? Before you trash your tube, consider
these practical ways to lessen the effects of televised violence while still
letting your children enjoy educational programs and entertaining shows:
1. Watch a minimum of one whole episode of every program your children would
like to watch so you understand the type of content they’re being exposed
to.
2. Discuss the violence they see on TV with them, and then brainstorm, as a
family, nonviolent ways to resolve conflict.
3. Help your children differentiate between reality and unreality, and make
sure they can clearly identify the fake and the fiction.
4. Reduce your children’s exposure to media violence by introducing fun
alternatives to TV.
5. Encourage your child to watch videos you have already pre-screened and
approved whenever you’re not around.
6. Foster communication with your child. Find out what is going on at
school, and take time to talk about it.
7. Set time limits on the amount of TV.
It is important to note that the
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one to two hours of
quality TV and videos a day for older children and no screen time for
children under the age of 2.
*Link to the American Academy
of Pediatrics Media Guidelines for Children.
A Realistic
Approach to Violence in the Media: Effects on Child Behavior he Power of
Giving a Teen Choice
Parents can’t ensure world peace, but you can create a peaceful environment
in your home—an environment that lessens the impact of violence in the
media, teaches positive problem-solving techniques, and reduces negative
effects on child behavior.
So don’t throw out your television quite yet! Just make sure you’re
screening everything that comes through it though. And when the bad stuff
does sneak in, counteract it by talking with your children. With moves like
this, you’re well on your way to being a truly ultimate mom.
About Author:
Kelly Nault, MA - Award winning author of When You’re About To Go Off The Deep End, Don’t
Take Your Kids With You inspires moms to put themselves first—for the sake
of their children. She shares time-tested tools that motivate children to want
to be well behaved, responsible and happy!
Please visit her Website at
www.MommyMoments.com
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