Do you think that the violence that is portrayed on television, in movies or on video, computer or online games influences the behavior of our kids?
Of course it does. Many studies have already proven this. If it didn’t big name advertisers wouldn’t spend millions of dollars a year on advertisements.
Most programs on television, including cartoons contain violence. By age 12, the average child has seen tens of thousands of acts of violence on T.V. and video, computer and online games. This number is astonishing!
The Surgeon General reports that television violence is linked to aggressive behavior in children who view violent shows. Even the, American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, UNESCO, and US Attorney General, have all reached the same conclusion, that television violence is linked to the proliferation of violence in our culture.
The acts of violence on video, computer and online games are even more damaging because the player is actively seeking to kill or wound fellow players. Multiplayer online games have real people taking the part of the other players, which means that fights are going on in real psychological space.
As a matter of fact, for some violent video, computer and online games, the sole purpose of the game is to act as killers of the other players. The imagery in these types of video, computer and online games is extremely realistic. It can be quite upsetting to see the blood and guts.
So what does this type of exposure do to our kids?
A Surgeon General’s report identifies the follow major effects of seeing violence on television:
- Kids may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others
- Kids may be more fearful of the world around them
- Kids may be more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others
- Kids become desensitized to violence
Research by psychologists L. Rowell Huesmann, Leonard Eron and others found that children who watched many hours of violence on television when they were in elementary school tended to also show a higher level of aggressive behavior when they became teenagers.
For younger children, we can monitor and limit the types of television programs and movies our kids watch. It is difficult to monitor our teenager’s television and computer activity when they are out with friends. At home, however, you can move the computer to an area of the home that is easily accessible by adults to monitor what your teen is viewing. You can also limit the amount of time your teen has access to the computer.
In regards to television, the best thing to do is communicate with your kids about the violence portrayed in programs that you may watch together. Explain the reality of being shot or hurt due to violent acts. Continue to keep the lines of communication open with your teen as well. Discuss the content of movies, video, computer and online games. Help them understand that these are not real, but that acts of violence are committed every day all around the world.
Does your teenage son spending hours playing violent video, computer or online games? Does he seem to not care about the violence shown on television or movies. Do you think he is acting more aggressively? Do you think he will hurt someone?
Aggression is a serious matter. Triumph Youth Services has been working with teenage boys and young men for years. The staff is well trained in adolescent behaviors and problems of troubled teens.
Triumph Youth Services has a licensed clinical staff trained and experienced using different therapeutic techniques to help teenage boys exhibiting aggressive behavior.
Do not hesitate to call today. There are answers to help your son.
Reference:
http://www.zurinstitute.com/teenviolence.html
http://www.apa.org/research/action/protect.aspx
