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Violence in the
Media—Effects on Child Behavior and Parenting
By Kelly Nault
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It’s no secret that we’re living in a violent world. Between
news reports on terrorism, bullying at school, and violence in
the media, our children are exposed to all kinds of aggression.
It’s also no secret that such violence can have negative effects
on child behavior and development.
While you probably can’t quash violence in the media, bring a
halt to terrorism, or even stop the school bully from picking
fights on the playground, you can control your child’s exposure
to violence. And when your son or daughter is exposed to
violence (sadly, it’s bound to happen), you can reduce the
negative effects on child behavior by discussing that act of
violence with your son or daughter.
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Violent World + Busy World = Parenting Trouble
Not only do we live in a violent world, but we also live in a
busy world, a world that often leaves moms little time to
supervise what they’re children watch on TV. The unfortunate
result is exposure to violence in the media.
If there wasn’t so much violence in the media, effects on child
behavior may be minimal—even. Everything in moderation, right?
But sadly, television and movie violence is certainly not
delivered “in moderation.” Some experts estimate that by the
time most kids reach age 13, they have already seen more than
100,000 incidents of violence!
The National Television Violence Study, the largest ongoing
scientific study of television violence, concluded that
television violence tends to be sanitized, sensationalized and
glamorized. This manipulation of the truth nature of violence
has negative effects on child behavior. Dr. Barbara Wilson,
senior researcher, states that, “Younger children have
difficulty distinguishing televised fantasy from reality, and
are therefore at increased risk of imitating cartoon violence.”
According to this same study, witnessing television violence
causes children to:
1. Become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others;
2. Have heightened fear in the world; and
3. Demonstrate increased aggression and violent behavior toward
others.
It’s easy to see that violence in the media has unfortunate
effects on child behavior, which is why it’s so important for
moms to monitor what their kids are watching.
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Parenting Must:
Limiting the Exposure of Violence in the Media and Reducing its
Effects
Getting ready to throw out the TV? Before you trash your tube,
consider these practical ways to lessen the effects of televised
violence while still letting your children enjoy educational
programs and entertaining shows:
1. Watch a minimum of one whole episode of every program your
children would like to watch so you understand the type of
content they’re being exposed to.
2. Discuss the violence they see on TV with them, and then
brainstorm, as a family, nonviolent ways to resolve conflict.
3. Help your children differentiate between reality and
unreality, and make sure they can clearly identify the fake and
the fiction.
4. Reduce your children’s exposure to media violence by
introducing fun alternatives to TV.
5. Encourage your child to watch videos you have already
pre-screened and approved whenever you’re not around.
6. Foster communication with your child. Find out what is going
on at school, and take time to talk about it.
7. Set time limits on the amount of TV.
It is important to
note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more
than one to two hours of quality TV and videos a day for older
children and no screen time for children under the age of 2.
*To view
the
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommend Media Guidelines for
Children and Parents click here.
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Parenting with a
Realistic Approach to Violence in the Media: Effects on Child
Behavior he Power of Giving a Teen Choice
Parents can’t ensure world peace, but you can create a peaceful
environment in your home—an environment that lessens the impact
of violence in the media, teaches positive problem-solving
techniques, and reduces negative effects on child behavior.
So don’t throw out your television quite yet! Just make sure
you’re screening everything that comes through it though. And
when the bad stuff does sneak in, counteract it by talking with
your children. With moves like this, you’re well on your way to
being a truly ultimate mom. |
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Kelly Nault, MA award winning parenting author of When You’re
About To Go Off The Deep End, Don’t Take Your Kids With You
inspires moms to put themselves first—for the sake of their
children. She shares time-tested tools that motivate children to
want to be well behaved, responsible and happy! Sign up for her
free online parenting course here.
You are
free
to print or publish this article provided the article and bio
remain as written and include a link to
www.mommymoments.com
as shown above.
© 2005-06 Ultimate Parenting.
All rights reserved. |
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