The Negative Influence Of Television On Children

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Running head: THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION The Negative Influence of Television Does media violence cause violent crime? Our society has been overwhelmed with violence in the media. These concerns about violence in the media have been around for such a long time that it remains an everyday issue. Researchers have acknowledged that violence portrayed on television is a potential danger to our children, and that hundreds of studies have shown that violence in the media can influence aggressive behavior (“European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research“, 2007, p. 205) The first type of media that speaks about violence would be the news, everyday on television people are informed and hear about criminal activities that happen around the world, and in your own city. The majority of movies and programs portray some type of criminal action with some sort of weapon. The message that is sent is that violence is a means of solving a problem and children may get the wrong impression. What children may understand is that violence and aggressive behavior are the right ways to solve problems. Most television violence happens at a close range between people that do not know one another, which sends the wrong message to a child that does not have the capacity to understand what really is going on. Everyday less and less television shows focus on showing programming with anti violence themes. Young children in the United States view approximately 10,000 violent acts each year and spend more time watching television when not in school than any other activity except sleeping (Jana M.D., 2007). Depending on the child’s exposure a child does not really understand the reality of violence. Television shows do not always show the outcome of violence, such as people that are really hurt and in pain. Television does not show that
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