How to Reduce the Impact of Media Violence as a Potential Cause of Aggression
Media violence is known to be a cause of aggressive behavior, particularly in children. This includes exposure to violence on television, in movies, music and the Internet, as well as video games. According to Ross Buck in the August 2010 edition of Psychology Today, children learn to be aggressive by being exposed to aggressive behaviors, which they copy. Violent video games, specifically, have been found to increase aggressive thoughts and behaviors in children. There are steps that adults can take to help reduce the effects of violence in popular culture on their children.
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Instructions
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Educate yourself about popular culture. Become familiar with the media that your child is consuming, including what they watch, play, listen to and look at online. Once you understand the content that your child is exposed to, you can draw limits on what he watches, in an informed way. Drawing limits is important, and creates opportunities for your child to entertain herself in ways that don't involve exposure to violence in mass media.
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Talk to your kids about what the media they are exposed to. Encourage your child to become a healthy skeptic when it comes to consuming media. One way to approach this conversation is to ask your child what he thinks the messages of certain shows, video games or songs are, and what he thinks of these messages---are they accurate or helpful? You may also model this behavior by deconstructing popular culture in front of your child.
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Encourage positive peer interactions. According to Ross Buck in the August 2010 issue of Psychology Today, especially with younger children, peer groups teach their members how to communicate without violence and how to regulate aggression. Children who can understand their angry feelings are less likely to act out violently.
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Tips & Warnings
Some children may be more prone to anger and aggression, regardless of their exposure to video games. For instance, according to Nikhil Swaminathan in the October 2007 edition of Scientific American, some may have a genetic predisposition toward aggressive behavior.
According to Dara Greenwood in the June 2010 edition of Scientific American, some media, such as video games, may provide psychosocial benefits to children as well. For instance, they may help with self-expression, creative problem solving, cognitive mastery, positive social interactions and leadership skills.
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