Violence in the media Essay Example for Free

Violence in the media EssayDoes military unit in the media affect peoples friendly behaviour? A lot of research has been reach out on this matter. Even though the slew media behindnot be solely blamed for the increase in frenzy this century, it is clear that the development has coincided with an increase in violence shown on video and telly. According to the UN Childrens Convention, children should be able to have access to information from the mass media which promotes understanding, tolerance, equality and peace. Children also have the right to be protected, from tearing and manipulating media. Even though 187 countries have signed this convention, hardly a(prenominal) countries follow up, and even if they do they have little say about over international mass media such as satellite television and Internet.There was an interesting study on the web, about how galore(postnominal) people get offended by violence on television ( define below). It shows how many people argon offended by violence and sex in the four main programmes.Major effects of children reflexion violent programs on television atomic number 18Children may become less sensitive to the pain and crucifixion of othersChildren may be to a greater extent than fearful of the world around themChildren may be more belike to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others.Children, who watch a lot of TV, be less aroused by violent scenes then those who only watch a little in other words, theyre less bothered by violence in general and less likely to see anything wrong with it. Children, who have been watching violent programmes on TV, often behave differently. A study done at Pennsylvania State University showed that children who had just watched violent, even just funny cartoons, were more likely to hit, argue, decline rules, leave tasks unfinished, and more impatient then the children who had just watched non-violent shows.It has been calculated that the average 16-year-old in Western beau monde hasseen about 13,000 violent murders on television, and it seems reasonable to assume that this must have some effect on their behaviour. There is, indeed, a positive relationship between the amount of television violence children have seen and the pugnacity of their behaviour. save, it is hard to interpret such co relational evidence. It may be that watching violent programmes driving aggressive behaviour. On the other hand, it may be that naturally aggressive children choose to watch more violent programmes than non-aggressive children.Lots of people also blame of having a bad influence on children and teenagers on violent computer games. There are two explanations of the effects of violence in video gamesThe sociable learning theory suggesting that children will imitate what they have seen on the screen and the catharsis theory that suggests that violent video games channel a childs pugnacity and stop them from being aggressive in real life. (Catharsis t heory)However observational studies (e.g. Irwin and Gross, 1995) have found that playing violent video games increases aggression in children in the short-term at least(prenominal) so supporting the social learning theorys view. Further Video game violence has more effect on young children, but far less effect on teenagers and no apparent effects on adults. There is, on the other hand, very little research into the long-run effects of violent video games and at the moment, it is entirely speculation of the effects.The media have pro-social effects as closely as anti-social ones if the catharsis theory is correct then it bay window relieve aggressive feelings and prevent aggression in real life. The media cannot be completely blamed for aggression there are other factors to be considered that could influence the person particularly a child. Research portrays children as helpless victims of the medias influence but it has been shown that children can critically talk about the medi a at age seven. The childs upbringing, background, culture and peers could all influence any feasible aggressive behaviour. The media alone cannot be blamed for all aggression otherfactors have to be taken into account.What can parent do to protect their children?We cannot fully protect children and teenagers from exaggerated violence on TV, video and PC games. But there are a few options for parents to protect their children. Its been suggested that parents should watch at least one episode of their childrens programme so that they can better understand the content and discuss it with them. develop questionable incidents (e.g. random violence) that occur and discuss alternatives to violent actions as ways to solve problems. Children also should be taught to differentiate clearly between fiction and real life. Furthermore parents should teach their children not to bully others and make sure that they do not get examples of violence at home or at school. other option is just to m otivate the children to activities such as sports, playing with friends, drawing, etc, instead of let them watching TV all the time.Lots of experts argue that it is essential for parents and teachers to provide children with media education, to enable them to analyse the information around them. Children are bombarded with images and information, much more than they can absorb or understand. Strong influences from media take part in defining peoples values and views, and it is therefore important that people, from a young age, are taught how to think for themselves and to view the media critically, as easily as to respect and tolerate others.Parents should also learn, how to analyse films and to produce videos. They would achieve an insight in how images can be used as a form of expression. Many children and young people know more about computers and new technology than adults. Many adults are not aware what children watch on television and videos, or what images they can come acr oss on the Internet. It is therefore important that both parents and teachers follow up with the new technology in order to be able to guide and protect the children. That simply performer that we should be in control of the media rather than the media in control of us. Mass media and technology should be for our benefit, not for ourdestruction. To make this possible the mass media have to reflect the communication needs of all members of society, and at the like time be able to protect the individual as well as the society.Sources usedhttp//www.st-edwards.poole.sch.uk/subjects/psych/new_page_5.htmhttp//www.abelard.org/tv/tv.htmhttp//www.duke.edu/cars/vmedia.htmlhttp//www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/violab.html