She then brings up the issue of unnerving newspaper headlines such as “Bloodlust Video Games Put Kids in the Crosshairs” (205). Sternheimer feels not enough emphasis has been given to other issues such as “social rejection and depression” (206). She also brings our attention to information on statistical evidence. Sternheimer believed it to be “controversial” and feels it “exclude[s] a host of other factors” (207). Sternheimer feels it is these other over looked factors that are truly the cause of “young killers” (210).
In order to persuade them, he takes advantage of leading question to guide his audience to his way of thinking. “Did the sensibilities created by the modern, video kill games play a role in the Littleton massacre?”(44) The question assumes that the audience will believe such aggression associated with the simulated violence. By means of sentence words “Yes” and “No”, he makes a point of bringing up the rational arguments to his audience. It illustrates that “there isn't any direct connection between most murderous games and most murders,” but “responsibility for protecting children from dangerous games lies with their parents, many of whom like to blame the entertainment industry for their own failings.”(44) The use of “Yes” and “No” aims to deepen the audience understanding of the truth that “We are now a society in which the chief form of play for millions of youngsters is making large numbers of people die.”(44) With appropriate language and clear articulation, it provides an account of his ethics that the audience will give the argument as much
The media, politicians, advocacy groups as well as the FBI are steadfast in claiming that the only rational explanation is that of the individuals falling prey to the aggression inciting video game. In short, the violent video game made them do it. One might be reminded of the Salem Witch Trials, where no educated explanation can be derived, those which cannot defend themselves, no matter how far-fetched the reasoning, is the obvious answer. Religious and political dogma has run rampant. The media have created unnecessary fear and moral panic to legitimize their personal agendas under the guise of “protecting children”.
It is necessary to take a closer look at whether or not violence in the media really is responsible for this development and then to examine what censorship may entail before taking such a far-reaching decision. Many concerned people, ranging from worried parents through to reputable psychologists, deplore the ever-present nature of violence in the media, claiming that this is the reason why people are increasingly prepared to commit violent acts. They argue that violence is being propagated as normal or even entertaining. Violence is in the newspapers, on the news, in film plots and in cartoons. Violence is a source of laughter in children's programs; films present it as staple fare; it is served as pseudo-information in sensation-hungry newspapers and on reality TV; and it is even glorified by some musicians in their lyrics and performances.
Lithwick:Teens, Nude Photos and the Law In this article, published in Newsweek, the author explains the harsh possible outcomes from teenagers sending at the own free will nude photos of themselves to their mates or lovers. Something that the author defines as “sexting” epidemic and analyses how the law is treating offenders and victims. The author makes an obvious claim that the criminal-justice system is too harsh to solve any issues that deal with teens and technology because this issue is becoming more common and although he doesn’t examine different or alternative ways to solve the problem, personally I agree with him that the law should not interfere with such juvenile cases because being exposed to others instead of the person it was intended for is punishment enough. In the article, the author brings personal stories which highlight three
He concludes that there should be a limit for how far one can go, when you are making reality TV show. Mr. Sam Mettler, Intervention’s creator says that it is not easy to show the reality on TV, sometimes he has to come forward and stop someone for hurting themselves like crack addicted or alcoholics. He adds that he can cross the line if someone is putting someone else in immediate danger, but it is very delicate balance. 161 words Outline Text 2: “When reality TV gets too real” is written by Jeremy W peters. The text is focusing on whether it’s the television station and the team behind the cameras that have the responsible for actions the participants may do to themselves or others such as a crime, while participating on the show.
He then talks about laboratory studies on televised violence and finds research points to more aggressive behavior in children. But also comedy can also produce aggressiveness. Rhodes comes to the conclusion that despite violent video games, viewed mock violence on TV, parents are responsible for the behaviors of their children. “Violence is on the decline in America, but if we want to reduce it even further, protecting children from real violence in their lives—not the pale shadow of mock violence—is the place to begin” (327), This feeling is mutual for me. I feel that violence in the home makes a huge impact on our adult lives.
TV’s Effect: Helpful or Harmful? Media is often deemed the scapegoat for all of humanity’s problems; whether it’s obesity, a paucity of morals, people having fallow minds, and most of all, violence. Violence is defined as a behavior using physical force that is meant to hurt, injure, or kill someone or something. Over the years there have been numerous studies about how television can effect a person’s personality and levels of aggression. The studies set out to demonstrate how “awful” violence on television is to the human mind, yet there are some who assert that some of the shows with violence have good morals behind them.
Unfortunately, many of today’s television programs are violent. So does TV influence kids that violence, drugs, alcohol and sex are ok? How much violence, drug references, alcohol usage, and sex references does the average American child come across? How much of this do they take in? Hundreds of studies have found that children and teenagers that watch television may: • Become “immune” or numb to the horror of violence • Gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems • Imitate the violence they observe on television; and • Identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers Also, Extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness.
Ahmed 1 Sami Ahmed Professor Grannis English 112 7 December 2008 The Medias Affect on Teenagers The rise of violence and sexual activity in teenagers has placed the entertainment industry under scrutiny. Parents blame the industry for exposing their children to inappropriate content at a tender age. The industry has argued that the rating system at place should give the parents control over the content viewed by their children. Now let us find out whether the content of the media has an affect on teenagers? Or if it is the parent’s responsibility to regulate what teens watch?