TV Violence & Kids
According to the Harvard Center on Media and Child Health, kids who watch violent programs on TV may become angry, spend less time with friends and may end up becoming bullies or victims of other kids who are bullies. Showing kids violence can in turn teach them violence which can start a domino effect of bad behavior, school problems and trouble with authorities.
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Kids at Risk
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According to a study done by Columbia University, boys at age 14 are the most at risk for aggressive behavior. Females are not as likely to develop troubling behavior from watching violence on TV and in movies. The average child has seen around 100,000 acts of violence on television once he has gotten to elementary school.
Considerations
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The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has found a relationship between bullying at school and violence on television. In one of its studies, it found that kids that got in trouble at school for bullying were more likely to have been exposed to violence on television.
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Long Term Effects
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Studies done by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that there were long term repercussions associated with kids that watch violent TV that last well into adulthood. Violent children grow up to be aggressive adults who may be involved in criminal behavior, child or spousal abuse and angry parenting styles.
Other Viewpoints
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Some experts have said they believe that children are smart enough to distinguish television from reality and they will not have lasting effects from seeing too much violence. However, the Surgeon General, National Institute of Mental Health, and the American Psychological Association have all linked violent behavior to television and movie violence.
Bad Signs
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Signs that your child is being affected by violence on television are characterized by isolation and anti-social behavior, acceptance of violent images in real life and not seeming aware of others' feelings, or worry about becoming the target of violence. Problems at school with bullying, name calling and insulting other kids and fighting at school are also red flags to look for.
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References
Resources
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