Essay, Research Paper: Media Violence And Children

Most children cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality. They [children] do not possess the ability to process information the same way adults do since they lack the necessary experience or judgement to evaluate what they see. Increased aggressiveness and desensitization in children due to violence in the media are major concerns among parents today. Therefore, young children are particularly vulnerable to the powerful images of violent behavior portrayed in the media.
External factors such as the media play an important role in influencing children's behavior. Between the ages of six and ten children are extremely sensitive to the effects of television because viewing time is at a maximum and behavioral characteristics are still developing. For example, when television characters triumph by using physical force children begin to see violence as an acceptable way of resolving conflict. Consequently, children observe and interpret aggressive behavior as beneficial and rewarding.
Televised violence has desensitized children to the significance of aggression changing the attitudes that they hold about the world. This results in false perceptions that violence is socially acceptable. Increased acceptance towards aggressive behavior may prevent children from controlling their own aggression. Viewing violence on television creates an unrealistic value system for children in terms of what constitutes acceptable behavior. Thus, children may behave in a manner, which is inappropriate in real life settings.
Parents provide the greatest influence of all on children. Studies indicate that adults can have a very significant effect on what children learn from television and how they react to it. Parents serve as role models and interpreters for television and other important aspects of a child's life. What matters most for young children is the cumulative effect of what he or she watches and the general viewing habits he or she develops.
To conclude, it appears that prolonged exposure to televised violence does have an important and consistent relationship to aggression. When children watch television they may be physically passive yet mentally alert. Their minds are ripe for absorbing ideas, information, and values. Television can be a powerful and influential teacher, so parents must ensure that the lessons learned are valuable ones.