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Watch Dr. Kanner discuss this topic live this Monday, January 7th, 2008 @ 8:15am on Fox6 News In The Morning.
Background: It was
only until about five or six years ago that many only inferred that the
effects of violent media influenced real-life aggressive acts in
children and adolescence. However, due to a plethora of research
conducted in this area, fact has replaced inference. Study after study
has now confirmed that extensive viewing of violence, whether through
the medium of television, video games, or the internet, causes greater
aggressiveness in children and adolescents. Although some children are
more sensitive than others, sometimes even a single violent program can
increase aggressiveness. Important findings have further concluded that:
1. the more realistic the violence, especially when frequently
repeated or unpunished, evokes children to most likely repeat what they
see.
2. Children with emotional, behavioral, learning or impulse control
problems tend to be most influenced by the various mediums of violence.
3. The effects of exposure may be immediate or delayed and is not necessarily related to conditions at home.
4. Routine aggressive viewing in some children and adolescents may "immune" or make them numb to the horror of violence.
5. Many children who view violence gradually accept it as a means of solving problems
6. Viewing violence can make children less sensitive to the pain and
suffering of others; more fearful of the world around them; and cause
children to behave in more aggressive ways towards others.
In addition to these findings, one must also consider that there are
certain times in a child or adolescent's development when they might be
even more effected by the effects of "over-stimulation", in this case,
being overly stimulated by viewing aggressive acts. For example,
children between the ages of 2 and 5 are still primarily
conceptualizing their world in magical ways. When faced with
aggressive scenes on television or on the computer, a child in this age
range could well believe that what they have viewed is real and may
happen to them or their family. This would therefore evoke tremendous
fear. The adolescent population is also particularly vulnerable to the
external impact of aggression. Because of increasing levels of
hormones, intensifying drives, and desires to be powerful, exposure
to overly aggressive and also overly sexual material can lead to
impulsiveness and poor judgment.
Taken together, while media violence is not the only cause of
aggressive or violent behavior, it has been proven to be a significant
factor and parents need to protect their children and adolescents from
excessive exposure. Here are some tips:
1. pay attention to what your child is watching or playing.
2. set limits on both the amount and content of what your child is watching or playing.
3. help children understand that there is a difference between television and real-life.
4. refuse to allow children to watch or participate in activities that are age-inappropriate
5. if offensive material comes on, change the channel, and discuss why such behavior is not a good idea.
6. try to consult with the parents of your child's friends so there is consistency in the various households.
Dr. Keith Kanner
Host
Your Family Matters Show
Fox6 News - San Diego
San Diego Living Show
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