Others would argue that the issue of TV violence and children is non-existent because TV violence does not have any psychologically damaging effects on children's psyche. They might also argue that one of the United States of America's core values is the right to free speech. Therefore, television producers can develop, distribute, and air the shows of their liking; and it is a parent's duty to decide what television programs their children are exposed to.
These debates about TV violence and children are sure to continue. However, what does current research suggest about the effects of TV violence on children? According to the findings of a fifteen-year longitudinal study of 329 youth, childhood exposure to media violence is a predictor of aggression in young adults. The study was published in the March 2003 edition of the American Psychological Association's journal, Developmental Psychology.
These findings apply to any child from any family, irrespective of the child's initial level of aggression, their intelligence level, their social status (as measured by their parents' education, income level, or occupation), their parents' level of aggression, or their mother's and father's style of parenting.
This study is a follow-up to a 1977 longitudinal study that included 557 children, ages six to ten years old, who were growing up in the Chicago area. This study re-surveyed 329 of the original survey participants, who were in there early 20s at the time of the follow-up study. They were asked about their favorite TV shows as adults and their aggressive behaviors. The participants' spouses or friends were also interviewed, and asked to rate the frequency of aggressive behaviors in the participants. Furthermore, research of state archives was conducted to gather data regarding participants' criminal records and moving traffic violations.
Listed below are some of the follow-up study's conclusions about the long-term effects of TV violence on children.
1.Men who viewed large amounts of TV violence as children were three times more likely to have committed a crime than other men. They were significantly more likely to have pushed or grabbed their spouses or responded to an insult with shoving the person.
2.Women who viewed large amounts of TV violence in childhood were more likely to have thrown something at their husbands; shoved, punched, beat, or choked a person who angered them; committed crime; or committed a moving violation.
If this study is accurate, then it is crucial that parents counteract the harmful effects of TV violence on their children. Listed below are some suggestions that parents may use to protect their children:
1.Limit television viewing to one to two hours each day.
2.Do not use television (or other related forms of media) as a babysitter.
3.Watch what your children watch.
4.Do not allow children to have a television in their bedrooms.
5.Don't watch television during mealtimes.
The debate about the effects of TV violence on children will continue, in the meantime, parents can take steps to ensure that their children are not exposed to violent television shows.