Violence In Media

“National Institute of Mental Health concludes TV violence contributes to increased aggression in youth” (Christina L. Lyons). Violence in children 's media have been increasing dramatically lately as violent acts and crimes increase as well. Most people think that violence in media does not affect children 's lives and the way they interact with others. People believe violent media has no impact in children 's health. But in fact, violent media make violence seem so normal that children start feeling satisfaction when violent acts are being committed. Steven J. Kirsh states “ individuals use TV, movies, video games and other forms of media to have rewarding experiences...violent entertainment must somehow provide fulfillment for children

Christina L. Lyons, a freelance journalist based in washington D.C. stated in her article Media Violence a timeline that shows the history of the input the US government had with the media, In 1915, the Supreme Court allowed states to restrict the motion picture industry. In 1952-1955, the House and Senate committees hold hearings on media violence. In 1972, Surgeon General’s committee reports TV violence can encourage aggressive behavior among youth. In 1982, the National Institute of Mental Health concludes TV violence contributes to increased aggression in youth. In 1999, the mass shooting at Columbia High school in Colorado; the teenage shooters reportedly were influenced by violent movies and video games. All the data above, shows the history behind the the effort the US government has had in trying to prevent youth from being exposed to violent media and create a negative domino

However, others argue that children 's minds are like sponges at a young age and exposing them to violence only teaches them that violence is fine. Elizabeth Thomas, explains in her article Media Violence: What If We Changed the Question?, how after an event she lived through changed her point-of-view on violence in media who children have access to. “I thought, boy, he’s really stupid, anybody knows that if you get shot, it’s going to hurt. But then it dawned on me that on television, when the superhero gets shot in the arm, he uses that arm to hold onto a truck going 85 miles per hour around the corner. He overcomes the driver and shoots a couple of dozen people while he’s at it” (Media Violence: What If We Changed the Question?).This youngster was led to believe that getting shot was not going to cause much pain because that is what happens on the media. This is a clear example on how media impacts children and adolescents on a daily basis and how its effect can put a life in danger. The media have brainwashed children into believing that committing violent acts are essay and not many consequence will be face, causing children and adolescents to trying many of the acts they see in movies, videos games, comic books etc… turning them into violent