Effects of Media Violence on Kids

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A typical American child sees more than 200,000 violent acts on the television before he turns 18 years old, including 16,000 murders, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Many of the violent acts depicted in the media glamorize violence, depicting violent behavior as a means to solve problems. The violence rarely has any consequences associated with it, sending a clear signal to the children that it is an accepted behavior.

Development of Violent Behavior

A study conducted by L. Rowell Huesman and Laramie D. Taylor of the University of Michigan and the University of California concluded that the violence seen in the media, including movies, television shows, video games and television news programs, played a role in the development of short- and long-term aggression in children. The results of this study appeared in the April 2006 issue of the "Annual Review of Public Health."

Not every child that is exposed to media violence will become aggressive. There are several contributing risk factors associated with the development of aggression and violent behavior including child abuse, poverty, substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.

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Imitation of Violence

Younger children, particularly those under the age of 8, are unable to distinguish between reality and the violence that they see in the media. Programs aimed at younger children frequently depict heroes that quash the villains, often in violent and aggressive ways. They become role models for the children, who may look to imitate the violence in real life anytime they feel victimized or see others in trouble.

Desensitization to Violence

Researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Amsterdam and Iowa State University conducted a study around the effects of media violence on human behavior. The study found that exposure to violence in the media lessened the impact of others' pain and suffering on the participants, desensitizing them to its effects. Children exposed to violence in the media are less likely to notice or attend to victims of real-life violent incidents. They feel less personal responsibility to help others in trouble and have little or no sympathy for the victims of violence.

Fear

Children exposed to violence in the media become fearful, especially those between the ages of 8 and 12 years old, according to the University of Michigan. They worry that they may become the next victims of violence, whether at the hands of another person or through a natural disaster. The impact is much greater and the fears much stronger for this age group when the violence depicted is real, such as that seen on television news programs. These have the same impact on children under the age of 8, as they are not mature enough to distinguish between reality and fiction.

References

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About this Author

After attending Fairfield University, Hannah Wickford spent more than 15 years in market research and marketing in the consumer packaged goods industry. In 2003 she decided to shift careers and now maintains three successful food-related blogs and writes online articles, website copy and newsletters for multiple clients.

Article reviewed by Jessica Lyons

Last updated on: 09/02/10