In choosing media for their children, many parents turn a blind eye to the type of media their children engage in. Parents may rationalize that a violent film or video game is okay because other parents let their children watch it. Some parents protect their children from pornography (which is great) but fail to also protect them from violence. However, especially in the elementary school years, I believe parents should be vigilant in protecting their children from media that is violent. Here’s why:

Increased Violence

During World War II, only 20 % of soldiers were actually able to shoot the enemy. However, by the Vietnam war this number increased to 90%. This was attributed to a new technique where soldiers practiced shooting human-like targets (Grossman and Siddle, 1999). Why wouldn’t violent video games have the same effect?

Violent media is directly linked to violent and aggressive children. Children who view violent media are much more likely to respond violently or aggressively to others following participation in such media. This, alone should be reason to steer clear of violence in the media.

Increased Anxiety and Mental Health Problems

Imagine living in a world peopled almost entirely by criminals or other violent individuals. Imagine not knowing whether or not danger lurked around any corner as you engaged in common activities – attending school, shopping at the grocery store. Most parents would never consider moving their child physically to such an environment. But, every day many American parents allow their children to immerse themselves in similar and realistic video game or television environments for hours on end. Is it any wonder that rates of depression and anxiety have been skyrocketing in recent years?

Violence in media is directly linked to anxiety and also to depression among youth. It is easy to see how violent media could change the way children view others and the world and this changes the way their brains and bodies react to normal life situations.

I believe that children would be better off if their parents more closely monitored the type of media that they watched, not just for pornography or obscene behavior but for violence as well.

What are some ways that you help your children avoid violent media?