Is Media Violence to Blame for Youth Aggression?
Recent global violence has revived claims that violent TV shows, movies, and video games targeted at youth are fueling aggressive behavior. The Media Awareness Network notes a rise in violent TV content, and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that exposure desensitizes children, increasing aggression. By age 11, a child may witness 8,000 media murders, often due to parents permitting access to adult crime shows or mature-rated video games. But is children’s programming truly too violent, or is this a way for society to deflect blame from parenting?
Reflect on childhood cartoons like *Bugs Bunny* or *Road Runner*—violence was common, albeit animated. Today’s children’s shows, like *SpongeBob SquarePants*, are often humor-based and less violent than decades ago. Despite stricter TV ratings and regulations, the real issue lies with parents allowing excessive, unsupervised screen time.
Parental Oversight: The Key to Media Control
Ironically, with advanced parental controls unavailable a decade ago, children today spend more unsupervised time watching TV, which often serves as a modern babysitter. In many homes, the TV is always on, and few parents use available tools to restrict content. Even the nightly news, graphic for children under 7, plays during family dinners. Parents frequently buy T- or M-rated video games for young kids or take them to PG-13 movies, with over 75% of parents admitting this in a *Parenting Magazine* poll. When parents enable access to violent media, the responsibility lies with them, not the industry.
Resources abound to help parents make informed choices. Websites like www.commonsensemedia.org offer reviews, trailers, and ratings for TV shows, movies, and games. The FTC notes that regulations are stricter than ever, limiting marketing to children and even banning tobacco use by baseball players on TV due to its influence on young fans. Computers and TVs come with built-in controls to block inappropriate content, yet many parents overlook these tools, blaming the entertainment industry instead.
Empowering Parents to Act
Parents have full control over what their children watch. No law mandates cable subscriptions or exposure to violent shows. If a child shows sensitivity to violence or negative reactions, parents can turn off the TV or avoid graphic content. While society may seem more violent, parents hold the power to minimize their child’s exposure to violence. By monitoring media and using available resources, parents can foster a safer, less aggressive environment for their kids.
