The Effects Of Violent Media On Children

According to Gerard Jones’s “ Violent Media Is Good For Kids,” violent media indeed has a remarkable influence upon the minds and general growth patterns of children. Jones argues that violent media can actually have positive effects on young people.

The media is generally seen by people as a way of conveying the truth. If something is seen on TV, has been heard on the radio or something has been read in the newspapers then it is perceived as being the truth. Throughout history the media has been used as a tool to convey different messages to people. The issue of the behavior of children when exposed to violence on media has been an issue to be debated upon and studied for a very long time. There are many devices that children have access to of late which include video games, iPods, iPads, DVDs, computers and so on. Children are often said to be impressionable, this means that they do not see the world in the same way as adults do. Children tend to see things the way they are. They take things literally as they do not posses the sensibilities that are sophisticated to make a distinction between reality and fiction (Limit TV, 2010).

Television is the mainstream of our culture. Violence on television has been a topic of conflict since before 1950. There have been repeated debates on how to protect children from the harmful effects of violence on television. Television is one form of modern media that influences the everyday lives of people. Televised violence has a major effect on how children perceive the world and how they behave. "American television has become the most violent in the world. It is for this reason why researchers have focused their attention toward television violence" (Cantor & Hoffner 424-4-25). Children enjoy watching television and now with the increased technology of cable and movie

Violent media; a strikingly relevant phenomenon millions are becoming captivated by. It’s everywhere you go, on your phone, the TV or on the computer. As much as people try to avoid it, they soon realize it’s ineluctable. Gerard Jones, a comic-book author, released a brief report, “Violent Media Is Good for Kids” that argued violent media is not only beneficial to children but also inspiring. He goes on to support his claim by sampling his own personal experiences. However, not all forms of violent media are necessarily helpful. Some are more preferable while others can harm them. To an extent, violent media can help children by helping them release built up emotions, learn lessons regarding the real world, as well as create something for themselves.

Violent Media is Good for Kids, by Gerald Jones; a persuasive article written by a comic book author that analyzes how exposing children to violent media has positive effects in shaping a person. This article was written as a counter-argument to the negative response media received after a horrific mass shooting that took place at a high school. Jones defends violent media by telling of his own personal experience with it, thus glorifying it in the process. Jones argues in his article that violent media is a helpful resource for children and it does not necessarily harm them. Jones’ argument was effective and very convincing. He defends his stance by continuously stating the positives that violent media has had not only on him, but his own son as well.

When it comes to the topic of violent media, some of us would readily agree it’s a controversial subject as to whether kids should or shouldn’t be exposed to it. This is because many children who view violent media react negatively rather than not being affected at all. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what effects does it have on children. Whereas some are convinced that it is a healthy alternative for kids to express themselves, others maintain that it causes kids to become more aggressive and contributes to juvenile crimes.

Intro - In the article “Violent Media is Good for Kids” by Gerard Jones the author talks about how violent media is good for kids. The author believes that violent media is a way to help children learn to not “ ...grow up too passive, too distrustful of themselves…” or for children to be “...easily manipulated. I feel as if this claim is overall true, but the amount of research that was done could be more.

In his essay “Violent Media is Good for Kids”, comic book writer Gerard Jones argues that there are some benefits of exposing your children to a violent content. Back in the day, children have access to different media entertainments, which mostly were violent. Violent issues can rise from the community, poverty and so fourth. Jones thinks that violent media helps children’s attitude and perceptions in their life in a good way. Jones says,” children use violent stories to meet their emotional and developmental needs”(10).

In “Violent Media is Good for Kids,” Gerard argues that, violent media is not necessarily harmful to kids, rather very essential and of great importance to them and their future lives.

Considering Albert Bandura’s findings, explain whether you think childhood exposure to violent media is problematic and why you hold that opinion.

Today in society most adults and adolescents create the complex structure of what is socially correct. Violence has created an image in everyone’s mind, even if most people don’t agree. Throughout time we enjoy movies, news, video games, and books, however every subject I just mentioned contains to be violent half the time. By human nature everyone is socially handicapped, as we can relate this to the articles “Why we crave horror movies” by Stephen King and “violence media is good for kids” by Gerard Jones given to both authors get there points across by being precise, compelling, and knowledgeable.

These days in modern life, youth are exposed to violent media everywhere. The police kill the bad guy; the heroes fight with the villain. In violent media, hero uses violence to solve problems, good guys use violence to punish villain. This kind of information has become more and more popular because people can receive strength, excitement and fearless from violent media. It is not bad for adults to watch violent movies, but violent movies have negative effects on youth. Furthermore, it is difficult for parents to prevent their children from violent media, because it is everywhere even the news can show the violence to children. In my point of view, violent media is causing different kinds of problem on youth, both psychological level and physical level. Based on that, parents and society should pay more attention and take steps to help youth. However, this does not mean youth cannot watch to any violent media.

Television is a powerful tool, shaping and influencing the lives of the world’s youth. More recently, violent shows are on the rise. Most programs are increasing the number of violent acts per hour. These violent television shows are causing an aggressive spike among young people. Violent television shows are desensitizing children to violence, leading children to imitating the actions of those they see.  This problem can be reduced or prevented in numerous ways.

            In recent times, the news media has cried out against violent media, painting it as the leading cause for youth violence. Following events such as the Columbine massacre, news sources have vilified violent media, claiming that it is a primary cause of violent behavior in youths. This analysis provides firm research on the subject from the opposing and supporting sources, giving a thorough definition to the term “violent media” and  brings forth evidence that other psychological effects and environmental factors are more significant causes of increased youth aggression than violent media.

In the book Critique of Violence ,author Walter describes Violence as "The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, male development, or deprivation .The violence that is portrayed in the media has been debated for decades ,and it has rose a question about how does it influence the youth?. From movies to video games society has been accustom to seeing violence in their everyday entertainment. Since children are easy to be influence by their environment, it is safe to say that violence in the media can and will contribute to violent behavior.