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The Impact of Media on Youth Violence

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The Impact of Media on Youth Violence
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April 26, 2013
Dr. P.
University of Phoenix

The Impact of Media on Youth Violence
Children today do not spend as much time outside playing as compared to 25 years ago. In that time aggression rates in children have increased and here is why: Mass Media. Has anyone ever wondered what children are watching and what impact it is having on the children? Are parents aware of the types of video games their children are watching or what sites they are viewing when on the Internet? Would it be shocking to hear that children will see more than 16,000 murders and 200,000 violent acts because of mass media by the time they are 18? Aggression in children can be linked to violence in mass media, the amount of time spent on mass media, and desensitization to mass media.
Children often have aggressive tendencies that can be linked back to mass media they are partaking in: movies and television shows containing violence, as well as playing video games that contain violence. Huesmnn (2007) wrote research evidence has accumulated over the past half-century that exposure to violence on television, movies, and most recently in video games increases the risk of violent behavior on the viewer’s part…the recent increase in the use of mobile phones, text messaging, e-mail, and chat rooms by our youth have opened new venues for social interaction in which aggression can occur. (The Impact of Electronic Media Violence: Scientific Theory and Research, p. S6 )
By viewing such mass media, children have exposure to the potential for aggressive behaviors. Studies have shown young children watching shows that contain violence and aggressive behaviors are likely to act out those scenes with their playmates to some extent. When a child acts out a behavior that parents do not understood mass media is likely where it came from. DeLisi,

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