Media Violence and Social Aggression

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247996.php

           There has been a positive correlation between violent media exposure and aggressive behavior in children. The study showcased in the video above involved over 400 children between the ages of 7-11 years old. It looked at the types of media that the kids were consuming and found that high exposure to media violence was one of six factors that could predict later aggression along with low parental involvement, gender, bias towards hostility, physical victimization and prior physical fights. While the other five factors can be somewhat difficult to control, one thing we can easily control is the amount, as well as the type of media children are exposed to. It is also discussed that videos of these violent acts go viral extremely fast on social network sights. This encourages violent behavior and basically promotes bullying. Making the kids in the video famous only provokes them more to commit these horrible acts in hopes of becoming well known or cool to their peers. 

            In this study, the children were asked to list their three favorite TV shows, video games and movies in a self-report questionnaire. These shows and video games were then coded for violence and individual potential violent behavior scores were given to each child. They found that children who consumed more violent media were more likely to behave aggressively and act out in class. With new technology that allows us to consume more media than we have ever been able to, it is easier than ever for children to be exposed to these types of programs. Currently, 75% of TV violence shows no immediate punishment and 43% use humor to accompany violence. More shockingly, kids programs have the most prevalent and concentrated violence compared to other types of shows. Media plays a large role when also considering the short and long-term effects such as priming, arousal, and social learning, which can easily lead to children using violence as an answer. Coupled with the fact that a young child’s development level may hinder them from being able to distinguish fantasy from reality, children may then think violence is acceptable. One way these effects have surfaced is through bullying. In the last couple of years the problem of bullying has ran rampant throughout school systems. However, by keeping in mind the facts presented we can help prevent social aggression through the control of children's exposure to violent media.