Exposure to Violent TV Causes Aggressive Behavior in Children

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Recommended: It is often thought that video games affect the typical child negatively, most arguably in the social aspect

Exposure to Violent Television Causes Aggressive Behavior in Children

Abstract: Studies of the aggressiveness in children in relation to the amount of violent television viewed were examined. The results are discussed and a potential solution is proposed which assigns responsibility for the control of television viewing and its effects to parents and children.

Television is the most powerful medium the world has ever seen. Never before has it been possible to communicate and so strongly influence millions of people at the same moment right in their own homes. But its misuse has been felonious, and society is paying an increasing price (Langone, 1984).

Almost weekly the press carries some story about the harmful effects of television on children. Parent-teacher lobbyists wring their hands about the violence depicted on Saturday morning children''s programs. Nutritionists decry commercials that tout sugar-laden junk food to youngsters. Consumer advocates clamor against the deceptive marketing of children's toys. In Washington, D. C., politicians anxiously express their regrets, then turn to more pressing business (Landesman, 1995). This paper intends to address the behavioral effects that violent television has on children. Violence and television have been the subject of numerous controversial studies for the past thirty years. The most persistent questions have concerned aggressive, anti-social, or delinquent behavior and their link, if any, to violent television entertainment (Paik & Comstock, 1994).

Numerous articles, written on almost every aspect of this problem, have treated television violence, as a social issue, as a parental issue, as a media issue, as a network power and greed issue, as a public health is...

... middle of paper ...

... Education Digest, pp. 16-19.

Munsey, B. (1980). Moral development, moral education, and Kohlberg.Alabama: Religious Education Press.

Pearl, D. (1984, Sept/Oct). Television at the crossroads: violence and aggression. Society, pp. 17-21

Siano, B. (1994, Jan/Feb.). The t.v. violence controversy: Frankenstein must be destroyed: chasing the monster of t.v. violence. The Humanist, pp.20-25.

Silver, M. (1993 September). Whats your password: gadgets that helpparents wean kids from t.v.-itis. U.S. News & World Report, p.79.

Sorenson, M. (1989, December). Television: developing the criticalviewer and writer. English Journal, pp. 42-46.

Tuchscherer, P. (1988). T.V. interactive toys. the new high-tech threat to children. Pinaroo Publishing.

Zuckerman, M., editor-in-chief, (1993, August). The victims of t.v. violence.U.S. News & World Report, p. 64.

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