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.
Dr. Larry D. Rosen of the California State University psychology department has been studying the effects of technology on people for more than 25 years. Rosen’s study “Poke Me: How Social Networks Can Both Help and Harm Our Kids” brought about worrying information on social networking. Adolescents and young adults who are tirelessly logged on to Facebook are prone to show psychological disorders, such as mania, paranoia, aggressive tendencies and amplified alcohol use. Research has also shown that social networking sites can be very addictive. The addictive nature of social media leads to eating disorders, obesity, heart problems, sleep disorders, and other pertinent health issues.
[1] Also, Barlett, Branch, Rodeheffer, and Harris, (2009) found that a violent video game produced greater elevations in heart rate, hostility, aggressive thoughts, and aggressive behavior compared with a nonviolent video game. [2] Playing violent video games leads to heightened aggressive behavior in children. A large-scale study in the United States found that 88% of youth aged 8 to 18 years play video games. [3] Research shows that children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend 40 or more hours a week using some form of media. Whether it is computers or video game consoles, 10 percent of children aged 2 to 18 play console and computer games more than 1 hour a day.
The truth about videogames Videogames are the most money makers among today’s society from all the other things including, some sports like, hockey, basketball, tennis and many others. What people don’t realize is that videogames are not only bad for their children, but they are also bad for the adults. Videogames not only influence kids for violence and aggressive behavior, but also for many social issues. A kid playing videogames for at least twenty hours is less likely to go to school and more likely insensitive to violence. Statistics have shown that the violence among young people is increasing every year.
What caused this behavior in the child? As reported by several doctors and psychologists, video games contribute to aggression and violent behavior in children of all ages. All around the world, video games are selling faster than books. Many newly released titles remain on the shelf merely minutes before they are snatched up by an eager teenager, ready to master every technique and aspect of the game. Gamer ages range from two all the way up to late adulthood.
According to a survey by (ASSOCHAM) 1 82% of kids aged 5 to 12 have some sort of electronic device. The constant use of electronics can lead to social isolation, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and obesity. According to Alice Martin’s article reviewing the four negative side effects of technology, 2 it is found that children often indulge themselves in internet, games and texting. Alice Martin announces that these activities can cause frustration and impatience. For example, children get frustrated when a page on the internet they wish to view
Research has also shown heavy viewers, which is four or more hours a day, put in less effort at school, have poorer reading skills, play less friendly with friends, have fewer hobbies and activities, and are more likely to be overweight. The American Psychological Association says there are three major effects of watching violence in the media (ex: video games/television) children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, children may be more fearful of the world around them, and children may be more likely to behave in aggressive or hurtful ways toward others. DOES VIOLENCE IN MEDIA AFFECT CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR
Seventy-nine percent of children play video games, and at least sixty percent of middle school boys have played one or more mature rated game. Some psychologists suggest that video games are positive- they are creating an alternate reality for adolescents to release their anger. However, studies have consistently proven that violent video games cause more aggressive behavior and, overall, are negatively affecting America’s youth. The debate whether or not video games are positive or negative has been a major controversy in the U.S. ever since Columbine, a tragic school shooting in 1999. News spread that one of the gunmen, Dylan Klebold, spent much of his time playing violent video games.
Instead of being active and playing sports, kids are inside eating fatty foods and playing video games. This is the first generation where the life expectancy has gone down in hundreds of years because of kids being overweight and obese. If kids aren’t getting exercise and are just sitting around playing video games it obviously isn’t good for their health. Ever since video games became popular in the 80’s overweight kids have became more and more popular and it’s got to stop. Once kids start playing more than around 1 hour of video games on a daily basis it starts to become second nature to play video games.
The results of a longitudinal study tracked 700 male and female youths over a fifteen-year period. They found that those who as children were exposed to violent television shows were much more likely to later be convicted of crime. All other possible contributing environmental elements such as poverty, living in a violent neighborhood and neglect they were factored out of this study. Researchers also said that media violence can affect any child from any family