By the time they reach the age of 18, the average American child has seen 200,000 acts of violence on television according to Kids Health. Male teenagers spend approximately 8 hours a week playing video games, reports Science Daily. Hundreds of studies from the past several decades document that media violence has adverse consequences for children. However, parents can take positive steps to assure that their children do not fall prey to the negative effects of media violence.
Limit Exposure
Step 1
Place all media including the T.V., computers, and video games, in public areas of the house. Do not allow your child to spend hours alone watching TV or playing games.
Step 2
Monitor your child's use of media. Review the rating labels of video games, computer games and DVDs. Enforce compliance on ratings in your family---don't allow your 13 year-old to play games rated M for mature.
Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of media violence, according to Media Awareness Network, so it is especially important to monitor your preschool and school-age children to limit their exposure to it. Censorship is more challenging with older children. Teens and pre-teens have greater opportunity to access media at friends' homes, so you will have to talk with your teens about guidelines and expectations.
Step 3
Establish and enforce rules regarding the kinds of content your child is allowed to watch on T.V. or play on video games at home. Become active in guiding the content that is consumed in your home. Preview movies if you have questions regarding the violent content. Watch movies as a family, and choose content that is educational or that has minimal violence. When violent action makes a surprise appearance on T.V., change the channel, and explain why you disapprove of the program.
Children are more likely to imitate media violence when the action is realistic or when the perpetrators of violence are glorified or rewarded for their violent behavior. Find movies, T.V. shows and games that emphasize non-violent themes or that place a greater value on cooperation and problem solving than on the use of violence as a means to deal with problems.
Create a Family Culture of Non-Violence
Step 1
Establish negative consequences for any violent or aggressive behavior your child commits, and reward cooperation and problem solving. When you child is aggressive or violent, encourage him to talk about his feelings. Guide your child on how to use rational problem solving.
When he is angry, validate his emotions, but suggest healthier, effective alternatives for expressing them. Use labeled praise to reward your child. For example, when your child resolves conflicts by using negotiation, sharing, problem solving or other appropriate, non-violent strategies say, "I'm proud of how you talked through that problem instead of hitting or pushing."
Step 2
Model how to use reason and rationality. Do not ever use corporal punishment. Children who experience or observe physical aggression in the home are more likely to engage in violent behavior.
Step 3
Have family discussions on violence when your child brings up the topic, for example, when talking about things that happen at school. Likewise, if acts of violence are mentioned in a news broadcast, use this as a teaching opportunity to discuss more effective ways of dealing with similar incidents.
Step 4
Do not view violent programming or play violent video games in the presence of your child.
References
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Children and TV Violence
- Kaiser Family Foundation: TV Violence
- KidsHealth: How TV Affects Your Child
- Media Awareness Network: Television Violence: A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages
- Science Daily: Study Examines Video Game Play Among Adolescents
