Violence on TV/Video Games - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... Particularly harmful is the tendency of children exposed to violent video games and television programs to be quite aggressive in real life situations. In fact, children who reportedly watch violent television programs become more aggressive earlier compared to their counterparts that are less exposed to violent media. Strangely, there is a twist and a contention among stakeholders such as educators and parents on whether children become more aggressive after watching violent television programs or playing violent video games or if it is aggressive children that are more attracted to violent videos (Hartmanna et al., P. 363). However, more studies have shown that children exposed to a lot of violence through television and video games become more aggressive with time compared to their less-exposed even after the levels of aggressiveness are accounted for before such studies. The interrelationship between violent television/video games and child aggression is thus a rather controversial issue. Although most studies have linked violence in TV shows and video games to violent behavior in children and the youth, age restrictions on video games and violent television continue to be successfully challenged in court. ...
In fact, some researchers equate the public health threat associated with violent media to the lung cancer threats caused by cigarette smoking. Because the media such as television currently saturates many lives in society, violent media has resulted in profound detrimental effects, particularly on the well-being of vulnerable youth and children. Nonetheless, similar to other threats to public health, not all children exposed to violent television and video games acquire violent behavior. Needless to say, that some children may not be afflicted does not imply that violent television and video games and related threats should not be addressed. In fact, it is imperative that society, parents, and guardians play their role in controlling children's exposure to violent media and video/computer games. Among the authors that have covered the aggression effects of violent media is Jacques Brodeur who states that the level of disobedience and aggression in a child is directly proportional to the level or amount of exposure to violent television programs. Further, Brodeur emphasizes the effects of a violently contaminated entertainment environment on the discipline, obedience, and aggression of a child. A violence-free environment is thus not only recommended in childhood but also in adult life (Brodeur, P. 53). Children’s tendency to mimic the violence watched on television and encountered in video games is perhaps the main mechanism by which violence and aggression is transferred from the media to children. By being allowed to watch violent television programs and play violent video games, children take it as consent by their parents, guardians, and older siblings to hit, bully, and humiliate others. In other terms, allowing children to ...Download file to see next pagesRead More