Negetive Effects of Media Violence on Teens

First and foremost, viewing violent entertainment will lead to aggressive attitudes, values, and behavior in older and younger children. Today’s media has a powerful outstretched influence in developing and shaping a child’s behavior. First of all, the use of destructive behavior is becoming ever more prevalent in children. According to Doctor Huesmann, “kids ages six to eleven are very delicate and influenced by the information prese

nt around them. Metaphorically, with the 60% of television programs containing at least one reference to violent material, children can be viewed as newly-hatched eggs being nurtured by the mother goose—media entertainment,” (4). Aggressive attitudes are then created in children who demonstrate destructive behavior largely due to programs and personalities in the media. For instance, the imitation of violence from television shows like the former World Wrestling Federation, the mal-language used in Comedy Central’s South Park, and the depiction of music celebrities such as rap stars Eminem and Dr. Dre “influence children to give in to inhibitions and to act out particular examples of the characterized violence,” (Chatfield 2). In turn, lasting aggressive personalities are created. Secondly, children will develop strong anti social lifestyles. Older children, especially those in the puberty or pre-puberic stage of their lives may lean toward the use of violence as a way to solve their problems or achieve their goals. Using aggressive charisma and authoritarian control as a way to gain popularity is a major reason many children in middle and elementary school systems are associated to examples of bullies portrayed in movies. “Children spend more time learning about life through the media than in any other manner which shapes their actions and attitudes more than parents or teachers do, replacing them as their educators,” (Neilson Media Research 1995). Finally, video games provide an ideal environment in which to experience violence. Simply, they place children in the role of violent characters such as Tommy Vercetti of the hit PS2 game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and reward the child for the more violent acts committed. Children are able to rehearse violent behaviors repeatedly and subconsciously hinder their ability to discard the negative teachings the video game offers. Violence is no doubt available to childre

Some topics in this essay:
Joanne Cantor, , Dr Dre, Anderson Bushman, Journal Communication, Larry King, Vice City, Doctor Huesmann, ESRB TV, Brittney Spears, media violence, aggressive behavior, media entertainment, lives children, video game, children adolescents, video game systems, children’s lives, future lives, children today’s, adolescent children, towards children adolescents, future lives children,