The effects of watching violence on television can be profound for young children. Kids Health reports that children spend four hours or more a day watching television. According to the Media Awareness Network, children are more drawn to violence on television because it is usually accompanied by vivid pictures and scenes. For this reason, children are more apt to relate to the violence and then try to act out the violence that they have seen.
Aggression
Aggression is commonly seen in children who are imitating violence that they have seen on television. According to Kids Health, television violence is often seen as being fun and a very good way to get what you want. As a result, children will readily imitate the aggression that they have seen on the television. This can lead to them hurting themselves or other children they are playing with. It can also lead to problems at school with destructive or aggressive behaviors. Aggression in children can be very difficult to manage and retrain.
Confusion
Confusion is another effect of television violence on children. According to Kids Health, violent acts on television are often performed by people who are considered "good guys." Kids Health reports that this can lead to confusion when the child sees a "good guy" performing a "bad act." Children may mistakenly believe that It is all right to be bad and aggressive toward other children. They may not understand why they are in trouble for this bad behavior when no one is getting in trouble on the television programs they watch.
Frightened Children
According to Kids Health, very young children are at risk for being frightened by television violence. Images of people hurting one another can be unnerving to young children, and they may not have the cognitive ability to process and understand these behaviors. Children that are frightened by violence on the television may exhibit behaviors such as crying or clinging to their parents.The child may also express concerns about their parents or loved ones dying unexpectedly. They may not want to be alone or sleep alone. They may also have a strong fear of strangers.
