The Effects Of Media Violence On Young Children

8 Pages 1942 Words

s, publications, music, video games, and any other forms of technological entertainment. In light of recent studies concerning the violence portrayed in the entertainment industry, the Federal Trade Commission has recommended that the industry expand codes for prohibiting inappropriate marketing as well as increasing parental awareness of labels and ratings, with an emphasis on the video game industry (Surette, 2001). Since this particular aspect of entertainment is mainly marketed to teens and young children, there is some concern regarding the connection between violent media and aggression. The focus of this study was on the content of programs and the shift toward less violence currently taking place (Surette, 2002). While the blame has fallen to both parents and the industry alike, research has yet to prove a causation effect of violent media on actual physical aggression.
Many other factors should be considered when studying aggression and its causes, such as income, family history, socioeconomic class, and prior records of aggression. Medication and exposure to firearms may also be factors in violence by children. Studies indicating the correlation between violent media and aggressive behavior have generally lacked the incorporation of these and other factors as causes of the behavior studied. A recent study of elementary and middle-school children noted that while correlation was demonstrated, causation would require a longitudinal study over diverse locations (Singer et al., 1999). Another consideration in this study is the reciprocal relationship between violent images and those perpetrating violence on others (Singer et al., 1999). Most researchers doc...