The Negative Impact of Exposing Children to Media Violence Essay

The Negative Impact of Exposing Children to Media ViolenceOn April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School, 13 people were killed and another 23 were wounded in one of the worst school killing incidents ever (Skeesis). Since the 1980s, overall homicide rates in the U.S. have declined. However, homicide rates for ages 14-17 have increased sooner dramatically during this time period (Fox). Among other numerous potential causes, fierceness in the media may play a role in this increase in youth violence. Today, there is much controversy over the potential harmful effects of media violence on childrens lives. I believe that exposure of children to media violence is harmful.For the purposes of this paper, I go forth limit the definition of (mass) media to television, and, subsequently, violent (mass) media to television programs that contain violent acts. By children, I will be referring to people of age 18 and below who live in the U.S., since this group is the focus of the majority of the re search data that I have used. I will begin my argument by acknowledging a counter argument to my position. I will then go on to discuss the negative effects of television on children. These effects entangle an increase in aggressive tendencies and an instilling of the idea that violence will go unpunished. Also included are the concepts of desensitization and stimulus addiction. Finally, I will discuss some potential solutions to the problem of television violence affecting our children.Granted, people are correct in saying that television violence has been around for decades. In fact, public violence has been around for centuries. In ancient times, many cultures made gruesome public executions or sacrifices. During the Middle Ages, entire villag... ...per impact than you realize. And what safe parents would want their child to end up reenacting a scene from HBOs Oz on his or her classmates?Works CitedAmerican Psychiatric Association. Psychiatric do of Media Violence. http//www .psych.org/psych/htdocs/public_info/media_violence.html (17 Oct. 2000).Berkebile, Nicole, Julie Newman, and Susan Parker. The Effects of Television on a Childs Development. 1995. http//www.richmond.edu/psych/tvmain.html (17 Oct. 2000).Fox, James A. Trends in Juvenile Violence 1997 Update. 1997. http//www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/tjv97up.pdf (17 Oct. 2000).Skeesis. The Tragedy at Columbine High. 17 whitethorn 1999. http//www.angelfire.com/tx2/coroner/columbin.html (17 Oct. 2000).Video Game Violence. Feb. 2000. http//www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/champaign/connections/0002-family4.html (17 Oct. 2000).