The issue of children's behavior when exposed to media violence has been the source of consternation and study since TV first became a household staple in the 1950s. Several studies, both long-term that evaluated children's behavior over years of development and short-term that evaluated children's responses to an immediate event, support the finding that violence as portrayed in various media affects children's behavior.
Warning
Children who are exposed to violent behavior via various media outlets--video games, TV, film or videos on a smaller playing device such as an iTouch--are more violent themselves, states the University of Michigan Health System and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP further recognizes the violence to which children are exposed through media as a "significant risk to the health of children and adolescents." Exposure to media violence has been directly linked to some children's aggressive behavior, lack of empathy, nightmares and increased fearfulness.
Age Considerations
The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that children under the age of 2 should not watch television. Children age 2 and above can have limited access to TV, but parents should watch the shows themselves to see if the programs support the family's values. While TV is a convenient tool to busy parents, benign neglect can lead to its overuse. On average, children between 6 and 18 watch over six hours of media every day, according to the AAP.
Frequency
A study of televised violence in 1995 to 1997 revealed that of the 10,000 hours of TV broadcast, 61 percent of the shows included violence. Even more concerning is that children's shows had the highest proportion of violence. The AAP noted that every animated feature produced between 1937 and 1999 includes acts of violence.
Significance
The result of violence in media can be seen in children's behavior. Because children's shows often portray the good guys using violence against the bad guys to prevail, kids enact that behavior in their play. Rather than learning to compromise or use discussion to settle differences, children, especially those under the age of 8 for whom reality and fantasy are strongly intertwined, turn to violence as they've seen it portrayed in the media.
Prevention/Solution
No one recommends unplugging your TV entirely or avoiding movies, or stopping your children from watching videos or playing video games. However, parents need to monitor the programs their children view and the games they play. Encourage shows that provide information from which your kids can learn, such as wildlife shows or preschool alphabet programs. Watch TV or movies with your kids to discuss any violence that occurs, and help them understand more clearly how and why the act occurred. Discuss what else the characters might have done to help children practice nonviolent resolutions.
