Media Violence: Impact on Children and Families

1. Media Violence:Impact on Children and Families Debbie Richardson, M.S. Child Development Assistant Specialist March 5, 2005 OK Assoc. of Family & Consumer Sciences Conference

2. Media “Virtual” Violence • Television – all types of programs including news, “reality” shows, music videos, commercials, sports, etc. • Movies • Video and Computer Games • Internet • Other types include: music, toys, comic books

3. An Average American Child Spends: • 28 hours a week with TV • 30 hours a week in a classroom • 39 minutes a week talking one–on–one with a parent By high school graduation: • Spends18,000 hours in front of a TV set, and only 13,000 hours in a classroom • Observes 200,000 violent acts and 16,000 murders

5. Research Over 4,000 studies have examined the correlation of television violence and violent behavior in children. These studies make a compelling case for a significant impact.

6. How is Media Violence Portrayed? • Clean – lack of blood, minimal suffering, invincible cartoon characters. • Frequently rewarded or unpunished. • Clear boundaries between good guy/bad guy. • Aggressors are portrayed as attractive. • Conveys violence is justified. • Humor may be used. • Pleasurable – “Make My Day”.

7. Children’s TV Programming • Violence is more prevalent and concentrated in programs targeted to viewers under age 13 • 79% of children’s programs contain humorous violence.

8. The Influence of Media on Children • Dramatically influences children at all ages. • Children are physically passive, yet mentally alert when watching TV. • Repetition – the violence becomes so familiar that it becomes normal. • Reduced boundaries between adult and child knowledge. • Both quantity and quality matter.

9. Young children under age 8… • Often believe in magical and supernatural creatures and powers. • Can be swayed by how things appear rather than how things really are. • Generally judge characters or actions as “real” simply due to observing through TV’s “magic window”. • Readily imitate violent cartoon characters.

10. Young children who view too much media violence….. • Begin to see violence as an acceptable way of resolving conflict, using physical or verbal abuse toward other children. • May become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. • May see others as “enemies”, rather than like themselves. • Natural anxieties may be magnified.

11. Young children who view too much media violence….. • May have more difficulty getting along with others, responding with kindness, and developing playmates. • Hear limited language and communication skills to talk about problems and how to solve. • Limits their imaginations – encourages imitation play rather than creative play.

12. Four Long–Term Effects of Viewing Violence Most people do not become violent when they watch violence. But they may be affected in these ways. • Aggressor Effect • Victim Effect • Bystander Effect • Appetite Effect

13. Daily TV Viewing less than 1 hour 1 – 3 hours more than 3 hours Involved in Aggressive acts by ages 16 – 22 5.7% 22.5% 28.8% A 17 year study of 700 children found that at age 14….

14. Heavy Viewers of TV Kids watching 4 or more hours per day… • Put in less effort on school work • Have poorer reading skills • Play less well with friends • Have fewer hobbies and activities • More likely to be overweight

16. TV Ratings TV-Y All Children: Designed for young audience, including children ages 2-6. TV-Y7: For age 7 and up. More appropriate for children with skills to distinguish between make-believe and reality. May include mild fantasy or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. TV-Y7-FV Fantasy Violence: May be more intense or combative. TV-G General Audience: Usually appropriate for all ages. Contains little or no violence, no strong language, and little or no sexual dialogue or situations. TV-PG Parental Guidance Suggested: May be unsuitable for younger children. Contains moderate violence (V), some sexual situations (S), infrequent coarse language (L), and/or suggestive dialogue (D). TV-14 Parents Strongly Cautioned: Recommended children under 14 not watch unattended. Contains intense violence (V), intense sexual situations (S), strong coarse language (L), and/or intensely suggestive dialogue (D). TV-MA Mature Audience Only: Designed for adults and may be unsuitable for children under 17. Contains graphic violence (V), explicit sexual activity (S), and/or crude indecent language (L).

17. Not All Entertainment Media is Negative There is strong evidence that children’s shows developed to teach academic and social skills can help children learn effectively.

18. TV Tips to Reduce Violence • Plan family viewing – give children a choice to watch • Remove the TV from a child’s bedroom • Offer other options – play games, read, be creative and active • Be informed about program ratings and content • Watch with children and talk about the programs • Point out that real violence results in pain or death • Change the channel or turn off the TV when offensive material comes on. Explain why.

19. VIDEO GAMES

20. Use of Video Games • 67% of households with children own video game systems. • At least half of U.S. children are now using the Internet for homework, games, and entertainment. • Violent themes compose 60% – 90% of the most popular video games. • 90% of 4th graders and 75% of 8th graders report playing 1 or more hours per week either at home or arcades.

21. Video Games • Games are increasingly more violent, lifelike, and accurate in depictions of violence. • Playing video games allows practice of violence in ways TV does not. • Some are used for training by military and law enforcement. • Most retailers make little effort to restrict sales of mature–rated games to minors.

23. ESRB Ratings Entertainment Software Rating Board • EC – Early Childhood (ages 3+) • E – Everyone (ages 6+) • T – Teen (ages 13+) • M – Mature (ages 17+) • A – Adults only • RP – Rating Pending

24. Video Game Content Labels A study of 396 mainstream T-rated video game labels in 2001 indicated… • 94% had violent content • 15% contained sexual themes • 14% used profanity A random sample of 81 of these games comparing the actual content to the labels indicated… • 20% with sexual content including partial nudity had a notation on the label • 17% with profanity had a notation on the label

25. Tips for Electronic Games • Know the content and procedures of games. • Pay attention to ratings. • Require parental permission to purchase or rent. • Discuss game content with children. • Observe children playing & periodically play along. • Establish clear playing guidelines & time limits. • Assure adult supervision for arcade game playing. • Select games that promote problem solving, skill building, and cooperation, rather than violence.

26. Media Literacy: Be a Critical Viewer

28. Be Media Literate • Be a wise consumer. • Watch programs and play video games with the child, and discuss what is seen. • Monitor and limit access to violent programs and games. Explain why they are harmful. • Select programs and games that promote problem solving, cooperation and learning.

29. Be Media Literate • Be cautious of heavily advertised products and toys linked with violent programs. • Contact TV stations/producers to express opinions, when offended and when pleased. • Help educate others in the community. • To offset peer pressure, contact other parents & agree to enforce similar rules.

30. Help children understand… • Real life violence hurts people. • Real weapons hurt or kill people. • If a show is scary or confusing, they can talk to an adult about it. • Violent toys, shows, & games may seem exciting in “pretend”, but real–life violence is not fun.

31. Debbie Richardson, M.S. Child Development Assistant Specialist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service 405-744-6231 debbie.richardson@okstate.edu www.fcs.okstate.edu