...The Impact of Media on Youth Violence COM/156 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...
Words: 1585 - Pages: 7
...2013 Vol 2 Issue 10 ISSN: 2278 – 0211 (Online) The Effect Of Domestic Violence Films On The Youth: An Excursion Of Media Violence Theories and Persuasion Theories Dr. Ajilore Head Of Department, Department Of Mass Communication, Babcork University, Ilisan ,Ogun State, Nigeria Ojo Titiloye Oyeyinka Lecturer, Department Of Mass Communication, Tai Solarin University Of Education, Ijagun ,Ogun, Nigeria Nwaolikpe Onyinyechi Nancy Department Of Mass Communication, Babcork University, Ilisan ,Ogun State, Nigeria Akinreti Qassim Olalere Head, Foreign Desk, Voice Of Nigeria And Part-Time Lecturer, Nigerian Institute Of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria Odegbenle Lateef Department Of Broadcast Media, Nigerian Institute Of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria Goke Rauf Head, Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Jegede Omolayo Station Manager, Babcock University Radio Station And Lecturer, Department Of Mass Communication Babcock University, Ilisan,Ogun State, Nigeria Tsebee Asor Kenneth Department Of Mass Communication, Al Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria Abstract: Several studies have been on the impact of media violence on aggressive and violent behavior. Researches on effect of media violence have proved that heavy exposure in films, videos, televisions and movies can increase the risk of behaving violently. This paper is an escursion of selected media violence theories -social learning theory, catharsis theory and cultivation theory...
Words: 5150 - Pages: 21
...Media being the largest agent of socialization plays a significant role in the society we live in today. It molds some of the values people accept. Media is all around us, from the shows on television to the books we read each day. However even with its perks, it has both positive and negative effects. Some people wonder if the negative effects dominate the positive effects. One might say it causes violent and harmful behaviour on our youth as many studies have attempted to show this link. Another might say, it leads to desensitization due to its gruesome effects on the teen brain. Some people are concerned with the negative connotations that media has, as they believe it might negatively shape one's perception of the world. Media violence can have disastrous effects on teens as this type of interaction can cause harmful behaviour, desensitize teens from other violent stimuli and lead them to perceive the world more negatively. The majority of youth retaining any form of violent stimuli via media can result in harmful behaviour shown and/or cultured in many forms. Many studies have proven that interaction with violent stimuli, especially in youth, can result in aggressive behaviour. Virginia Tech Research Division showed some students a number of non-violent movies preceded by an extremely violent one. The end result was an increase in the number of hostile behaviour among those who were exposed to the violent stimuli . This showcased that even with the majority of exposure...
Words: 1371 - Pages: 6
...The media is the key reason as to why there is so much violence caused by children, in society today. Is there a high percentage of youth violence that is caused by media in your area? Do you know anyone that has been affected by this? This is something that is becoming more of a problem every day. It has already been determined that media is one of the leading causes of youth violence. Solving this problem will take the time and effort of everyone, not just a few. Some people don’t believe that media causes violence, but there have been several studies conducted to prove otherwise. Bittman, Rutherford, Brown, and Unsworth (2011), “negative impacts on children’s cognitive development and educational achievement have been associated with displacement of cognitively more valuable activities, especially in infancy (Anderson & Pempek, 2005) and early childhood” (Schmidt & Anderson, 20007). There has been so much focus on media that society has forgotten that age appropriate television works. Age-appropriate television increases language and development. Television and media are visual aids children learn from. It is hard to determine if a certain form of media causes the most violence. However, it has been proven that exposure to the media has been known to cause violent behavior, especially in the youth. Hundreds of these studies have been conducted, and they all seem to come back to the same conclusion. One analysis stated that media has been causing violence since...
Words: 915 - Pages: 4
...Tackling Youth Violence in Schools Eric Mack American Intercontinental University Abstract This paper highlights the causes of school violence and aggressive behavior among youth in our society. It addresses family issues in the home, school related factors, and the influence of mass media on violence in our schools. Evidence suggests that schools have trouble tackling the complicated social, economic, and personal causes that generate the violent behavior of numerous young people. With the increasing wave of school violence, schools and communities are pulling together in response to this increasing crisis. Tackling Youth Violence in Schools Youth committed crimes continue to be an issue in the United States. Because of the increasingly high rates of juvenile delinquency, modern society has taking an interest in its causes and its effects. Juvenile delinquency is a serious and costly problem that present concerns in relation to the welfare of our families, neighborhoods and schools. (Horton, A.,2001, p.g. 50). Education professionals must take steps to develop and implement meaningful programs in order to combat this rapidly growing problem. According to Bullock & Fitzsimons (1996), “To work effectively with students who display aggressive and violent behaviors is a challenge that personnel in schools face nationwide.” Therefore, to effectively battle youth violence in schools, the contributing attributes that causes this behavior must be identified...
Words: 1244 - Pages: 5
...In the last 50 years, media influence has grown rapidly with an advance in technology. First there was the radio, then the newspapers, magazines, television and now the internet. Today, we all live in a media-dominated world. Media is a way for the members of the society to keep themselves informed about what is happening around them. It is also the major source of entertainment. By creating an image appealing to the youth, media controls the variety of material youth incorporate in their daily lives. Their images, which mostly consist of sexuality, violence, coarse language and revealing clothing, have a negative impact on the youth. Media should be forbidden from advertising and telecasting shows pertaining to violence, sex and unhealthy living because it plays an important role in shaping the opinions of the younger generation. Media violence has led to increased rates of youth violence. Exposure to violence in the movies, video games and music videos increases the likelihood of physical and verbal aggressive and violent behaviour, thoughts and emotions in youth. Researchers have examined various communities before and after the introduction of television, to find a link between violence and real-life aggression. They found that after the television had been introduced, the incidents of fists fights and black eyes among the youth had increased significantly. The media has many ways on manipulating people’s insecurities about looks, fitness, and set up false goals for...
Words: 513 - Pages: 3
...Name: Course: Tutor: Date: "Violence Isn't the Answer" Introduction Violence is an act of intentionally using physical power or force, threatening or extreme aggregations such as rape and murder against a person, group or community (Richard 1992). Violence is more rampant among young adults posing great to the society; it ranges from schools and colleges, homesteads or domestic grounds to public environment such as urban centers. Many questions have arisen as to why the youth are the most likely to get involved in violent crimes, according to statistics postulated by the government. The answerer to this question in as much as it may complex as it is elusive gives an insight of the actual fact about the cause of the escalating crimes of violence among the youth and possible remedies. Young adults have become violent in the recent years particularly in U.S.; also it has become a norm in many other nations including Africa where actual violence has been experienced leading to unimaginable losses to the natives and the whole country at large. Therefore, there is need to first of all study and understand factors that involve in development of human behavior before considering the root causes which will possibly help in preventing violence (Michael 1998). Causes of violence Media and Exposure In modern day society, children and young adults are the one at the highest risk for experiencing violent crimes. Technological developments and achievement has...
Words: 1248 - Pages: 5
...The Influence of Violent Media on Teen Violence Back to over two thousand years ago, Socrates once wrote: “Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders, and love to chatter in place of exercise.” Truly teenage rebellion has been around for a long time. Teenage is one of the most dynamic period in our life. People change the most while they are teens, both physically and emotionally. Unlike adults, teenagers may not be aware the consequence of their rebellious acts. When it comes to extreme act of rebellion it becomes violence. Teen violence comes in many forms and vary degrees. For example, verbal abuse, bully, physical fight, gang violence, and assault with or without weapons are the most common violent behavior among teenagers. Teen violence is a growing concern in our society. People often hear teenagers bullying, teenagers involved in violent crimes on the news. According to Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, about 20% of high school students report being bullied on school property in the U.S. in 2009 (8). One third of students had been in a physical fight in the last twelve months (6). For many teenagers, violence is a way to release anger and express freedom. All parents want their teens away from violent behavior. Before we can find solutions for the youths, we need to figure out why is teen violence happening? What makes teenagers turn to violence? There’re always have different and more than one reason that...
Words: 1171 - Pages: 5
...JORIND 10 (2), June, 2012. ISSN 1596 - 8308. www.transcampus.org./journals, www.ajol.info/journals/jorind NOLLYWOOD MOVIES ANDNIGERIAN YOUTHS-AN EVALUATION J. O.Nnabuko Department of Marketing. University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus,Nigeria and Tina C. Anatsui Department of Mass Communication. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria E-mail: chinyere_06@yahoo.com+234-805-2422-918 Abstract This paper is an advocacys on the impacts of Nollywood movies as the two-edge sword for the national development. It contends that its establishment has helped greatly in developing talents, and serves as a medium of entertainment and communication. It also highlights various critics that praised the ability of Nollywood industry in the past, and expresses concern on the reverse focus on the negative themes and its negative impact on youth behaviour and the image of Nigeria. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis based on the empirical secondary and primary data were employed. The data collected on both were presented in tabular form and analyzed using simple percentages. Purposive random sampling technique and questionnaire as an instrument were used during the class-meeting. Keywords: Nollywood, behavior, youths, movies Introduction Film was introduced into Nigeria in the 1900’s by the British colonialist who used it for propaganda purposes, while the church used it to spread the Gospel.The Colonial Administration and the Church saw film not only as a medium of entertainment but as...
Words: 5540 - Pages: 23
...formerly known as cinema or stage play/drama. As part of mass media, home videos play the important roles of informing, educating, entertaining and transmitting social heritage. Through their educational role, however, home videos concern themselves with evolving a better society by exposing societal ill and wrongs. Since the emergence of home videos, at the turn of the twenty-first century the films industries, and both male and female actors in Nigeria, Nollywood, have considerably influenced the habits, belief systems, style of dressing and other behavioural idiosyncrasies on many Nigerian youths. Thus, one can say, however, that the emergence of home videos have helped to promote the Nigerian cultural heritage; aside this, it has awaken in many youths the Nigerian culture that was once lost during the colonial period. There are also negative effects of home videos on audiences. However, there have been cases where home videos are criticized to the cause for some societal ills. Social critics, who believes in this school of thought says that some antisocial behaviours like violence and extravagant life that many films portrays in their content perceptibly affect the behavior of the audience. Nonetheless, all these sum up to mean that home videos have both positive and negative influences on youth morality, that is home videos positively or negatively affect the generally accepted moral standards from youths. Morality in behavior or virtuousness is the standards of conduct...
Words: 13472 - Pages: 54
... The exposure to media and its effect of aggressive behavior among the youth has been an ongoing focus. Violence among teens and children has increased dramatically over the years. Moreover, children are starting to engage in sexual intercourse at a very early age. Television programs are effecting the attitude, emotions, behavior of youth; we wake up to it, dance to it, and sometimes cry to it. "Effects of the media have found to be far reaching and potentially harmful in influencing the health-related behavior of children and adolescents" (Dudley pg.7). The effects of the media has been far more harmful on the youth than we can ever imagine. Media can be defined as internet sites, blogs, YouTube, social networking, and t.v shows. Media violence researchers have concluded that there are several ways media violence influences a young persons' behavior. Passive media violence affects a young person through exposure to television violence in programs, movies or news that is only observed by the child or teen. Young children are also influenced negatively by interactive media violence, where they participate, like in video games or activities on the internet. "Even short term-exposure to violent television programs and film media, both can cause aggressive emotions and behavior serious enough to harm others," according to Department of Psychological Science. There are certain factors that will influence the degree that media violence has on the youth. The presence of these...
Words: 1209 - Pages: 5
...JORIND 10 (2), June, 2012. ISSN 1596 - 8308. www.transcampus.org./journals, www.ajol.info/journals/jorind NOLLYWOOD MOVIES ANDNIGERIAN YOUTHS-AN EVALUATION J. O.Nnabuko Department of Marketing. University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus,Nigeria and Tina C. Anatsui Department of Mass Communication. Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria E-mail: chinyere_06@yahoo.com+234-805-2422-918 Abstract This paper is an advocacys on the impacts of Nollywood movies as the two-edge sword for the national development. It contends that its establishment has helped greatly in developing talents, and serves as a medium of entertainment and communication. It also highlights various critics that praised the ability of Nollywood industry in the past, and expresses concern on the reverse focus on the negative themes and its negative impact on youth behaviour and the image of Nigeria. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis based on the empirical secondary and primary data were employed. The data collected on both were presented in tabular form and analyzed using simple percentages. Purposive random sampling technique and questionnaire as an instrument were used during the class-meeting. Keywords: Nollywood, behavior, youths, movies Introduction Film was introduced into Nigeria in the 1900’s by the British colonialist who used it for propaganda purposes, while the church used it to spread the Gospel.The Colonial Administration and the Church saw film not only as a medium...
Words: 5540 - Pages: 23
...The Misconception of Juvenile Video Game Violence The Misconception of Youth Video Game Violence A teen walks into a school with loaded weapon in hand. A young boy steals a vehicle and drives recklessly causing severe harm to others. A young girl sets her house on fire with family members inside. What do these seemingly uncommon crimes have in common? Each juvenile in these examples has played violent video games. Our media that covers these violent crimes is quick to make that point known. Often times they also erroneously blame the playing of violent video games as the root cause of these crimes. Research suggests that violence in video games does not contribute to violence in today’s youth because juvenile crimes have declined as video game popularity has increased; they in fact provide an outlet to express aggression without causing physical harm, and juvenile violence has been more commonly linked to exposure of family violence. When looking at research from the FBI, crime rates involving juveniles over the past 30 years have declined. In fact, in most violent crime categories the crime rate among our youth is at an all-time low (Butts, J. 2013). At first, this information may be hard to believe. It shouldn’t however, because violence among youth commonly ends up making headline national news. For this reason, we end up being exposed to the details on many of these youth related violent crimes. This can make it difficult to put actual facts into...
Words: 2121 - Pages: 9
...Within the past few decades, content that is portrayed and displayed in popular media has changed drastically. Values such as being family centered, a lack of profanity, modesty and community involvement are being substituted for sexual or violent immoralities. Even though the responsibility falls on the parent to monitor their teenagers or children’s media access. Television producers also share some responsibility along with parents to be more vigilant with the content being displayed and portrayed in poplar media. Such as limiting the amount violence and sexual content that is being displayed on shows and cartoons catered to younger viewing audience. To begin, the material being displayed on shown popular television shows and cartoons dedicated for the younger viewing audiences, from ages 2-17 have “twice as many violent incidents in children’s programming than in other types of programming” (common sense media). Television shows and cartoons have characters that portray a certain image that look innocent to the naked eye. However, once close...
Words: 742 - Pages: 3
...Media and Youth In today’s world, it is hard to imagine life without technology. While there are still many adults who can remember life without the smart phone, laptop or tablet, the youth is a different story. Desensitization to violence is a subtle, almost incidental process which may occur as a result of repeated exposure to real-life violence, as well as from exposure to media violence. Emotional desensitization is evident when there is numbing or blunting of emotional reactions to events which would typically elicit a strong response. Cognitive desensitization is evident when the belief that violence is uncommon and unlikely becomes the belief that violence is mundane and inevitable. Emotional and cognitive desensitization to violence decrease the likelihood that violent behavior will be either censored or censured. (Funk, 2004 p. 3) Although violence and sex have always been a part of every culture, the youth of today are more exposed to it than before through the different types of media. The advancement of technology continues to increase as the need for constant connection to the media enhances. However, through this technology, the media has become a normalcy for today’s youth, which includes all of the negatives that go along with it. Over the years, the youth have become desensitized to all of the violence and sex in the media. Music is now and will always be the largest media influence. Unlike visual media, music is a strong mental force that also connects...
Words: 1538 - Pages: 7
