The media violence affects youth negatively. Especially at young age, where kids' minds are sponge-like, absorbing everything that around them. The average children spends about 40 hours a week watching television. "Think about the lost potential in children spending the equivalent of a full-time job, passively viewing entertainment" (Simmons). Nowadays, the violence in television, radio, and internet are everywhere. In today and age violence in entertainment media have made kids less sensitive to the fact that it is not just cool to see and watch but to play as well. "According to research, age 18 to 29 internet users increased 61% to 94 %( 2000 - 2011) (Zickuhr). Unfortunately, internet is unlimited to everyone and everybody can watch, post, and publish. You can even see someone death on internet just clicks away. Even when playing violent video games, it makes some people feel good. They are feeling exciting when they see someone's blood splashed all over the place. Studies now show that violent videogames can increase aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior. One experiment had 257 students to play video games some non-violent other violent. After playing the video games they were to watch clips of random violence. The students that played violent video games enjoyed or even aroused by the acts of violence while the students that played non-violent games were less immune to the fact of watching the horrific violent scenes. "That is, 20 minutes of playing a violent video game desensitized them to image of real-life violence in the short term" (Bennett). According to the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American Academy of child and Adolescent Psychiatry the media violence affects children in an aggressive and violent behavior. Kids are great imitators. They are modeling their favorite characters or what they see. When they learn ABC's by watching and keep repeating. Learning Violence is no exception. For example, Virginia tech Shooter (2007) Columbine shooter (2007), Arizona shooting (2011), movie theater gunman James Holmes (2012), and Breivik (2012), all of them were addicted playing violent video game. "It's quite possible that playing this script out numerous times in the game influenced his decision-making and that is in fact what he said"(Weigle). On the other hand, people believe violence media doesn't affect youth. According to some researchers, "When one looks at juvenile violence across society, exposure to media violence comes pretty low down on the list as a risk factor"(Gerdes). It is believed that violent or aggressive actions come from many things. It shows more from who has experienced family abuse, drug abuse, and mental illness. But, I think that media violence has to place bigger part than other risk factors. All the other problems have been out for a while. But, children's violence has increased nowadays and violence in the media is way too easy to get access. In conclusion, I believe media violence affects youth negatively. Children and even adults, if you keep watching a lot of violent things, it sticks in your mind. After a while you will be so used watch it and you will become desensitized. We know the problem, so where do we begin to fix it? I think we need to regulate are parents. Even thou there are rating system and other features to prevent are children from viewing this material its up are parents to use these methods and or solutions to keep are kids away. They are responsible for what their children do. Also, government should make laws stricter. They should forbid kids to access violence media.
Citation
Bennett, Nat, et al. "Video Games Cause Aggressive and Violent Behavior in
Youths."School Violence. Ed. Lucinda Almond. Detroit: Greenhaven Press,
2008. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "11th Annual Media Wise Video Game
Report Card."www.mediafamily.org. 2006. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web.
8 Apr. 2014.
Juvenile Crime. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012.
Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Is Exposure to Media Violence a
Public-Health Risk?"Lancet 371 (Apr. 2008): 1137. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.
Simmons, Gina. "Media Violence Causes Aggression in Children." Is Media
Violence a Problem? Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At
Issue. Rpt. from "Does Violent Media Cause Aggression?" Schneider Family
Services, 2008.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.
Weigle, Paul. "'Training simulation:' Mass killers often share obsession with violent video games". Fox news. Com. Fox News.n.d. Fri.13 Sept. 2013
Zickuhr, Kathryn. Smith, Aaron. "Digital differences". Pew Research Internet
Project. Pew Research Center, n.d. Fri.13 Apr. 2012
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