The effects of media violence on children and teenagers" behavior.
Technological advances continue to change the way we communicate and interact with others. Hundreds of studies point out overwhelming evidence of how children and teenagers become immune to the horror of violence coming from the media today. They accept aggression and violence as a way to solve problems. Much like other addictive substances, when utilized to excess and without proper supervision, media can contribute to the promotion of negative behavior and attitudes.
It is true that there exists violent content in media for children, and the impact on children and teenagers" behavior is assured. Studies show that the average child has witnessed 8,000 murders on television before finishing elementary school. Some of the examples of that violence to children are: video games, music lyrics and videos, and television.
Most studies currently indicate that video games have been a new and strong motivation for aggressiveness, especially for younger children. A study reports that almost 50% of the favorite games chosen were of the fantasy-violence or human-violence type. Researchers found, for example, that in a group of 5 years olds, children imitated during free play what they had just been exposed to in video games. In addition, they discovered that the children's violent behavior in free play increased after they had played or merely observed a violent video game. Playing with video games can be an immense source of violence for the youth. .
Music lyrics and videos contribute to a really important way to induce violence between people. During the past four decades, rock music has become increasingly explicit--particularly .
2.
with reference to sex, drugs, and violence. In some cases, lyrics transmit potentially harmful health messages.
Music is important to teenagers" identity and helps them define important social and cultural boundaries.
