Is the Media to Blame for Youth Violence?

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Marcus Black The effects of the media have been far more harmful on the youth than we can ever imagine. The exposure to media and its effects contributing to aggressive behavior among youth has been an ongoing focus of research and culture. Violence among teens and children has increased dramatically over the years, and television programs, movies, and video games are affecting the attitude, emotions, and behavior of youth. The youth wake up to it, dance to it, and sometimes cry to it. "Effects of the media have found to be far reaching and potentially harmful in influencing the health-related behavior of children and adolescents" (Dudley 7). Media is the means of communications, as radio and television, newspaper, and magazines that reach or influences people widely (“Media”). Media can be defined as internet sites, blogs, social networking, and TV shows. Through playing violent video games, and watching violent movies and TV shows, youth are becoming violent and aggressive because of the violent saturation in our entertainment. Active media violence affects the youth through exposure to television violence in programs, movies or news that is observed by the youth. Active media can be defined as video, television, movies, and virtually anything with a screen. As children grow, the media influence becomes even more powerful. The media influence on children is not always a good influence. There are certain factors that will influence the degree that media violence has on the youth. For instance, depending upon the age of the viewer, previous displays of aggressiveness as well as the intelligence level can determine how violent media will have an influence (Dudley). Basically, Williams Dudley, author of Mass Media is saying that factors like age, aggressiveness, and intelligence level can determine how violent media have an effect
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