Children and Media ViolenceHow do children see violence in the

media?

Do children understand the difference between media violence and real

violence?

Jon Brett

What this is NOT!

This will NOT try to explain whether media violence causes real violence

And

This does not put the blame for societies problems on the media

My Research Paper:

Surveyed parents to understand how much violence they think their

children sees.

Interviewed children to understand what they know about violence and how much violence they think they

see

Parents Survey• How much time does

your child spend watching TV?

• What percentage of TV shows would you say contains violence?

• How much time does your child spend playing video games?

• What percentage of these games contain violence?

• Do you notice any increased aggression in your child after they have viewed a violent media outlet?

• How often do you talk to your child about violence?

• How would you characterize your child’s demeanor?

Survey Results• 60% said their child

watches between 1-4 hrs of TV

• Video Games – 40% - less than 1 hr. 40% - 1-4 hrs

• % of Violent TV – 20% (average)

• % of Violent Video Games – 30% (average)

• Do you notice any increased aggression – 80% - NO

• How often do you talk about violence? 40% - Rarely 60% - Occasionally

• Child’s demeanor: 20% Passive, 60% Neutral, 20% Aggressive

Interview with Kids

• Children were interviewed separately

• Children’s ages range from 3-13 years old

• Ten Children were interviewed

• Survey was short (5 questions) so children would not lose attention

Interview Questions• In your own words, describe what you think

violence means?

• How much violence do you think you see on TV? A lot, a little, or none at all?

• Is there any violence in the video games that you play?

• Do you think there is more violence on TV, more in the real world, or about the same?

• How much do your parents talk to you about violence? A lot, a little, or never?

Interview Results

• Most children described violence similarly

• Violence on TV? A lot – 60% A little – 30% None – 10%

• Any violence in video games? Yes – 90% No – 10%

• More violence on TV – 60% More violence in real world – 10% About the same – 30%

• How much do your parents talk to you about violence? A lot – 20% A little – 70% Never – 20%

Additional Research• Factual and Evaluative Approaches (Journal

of Communication)

• Family Communication Patterns and the effect on Children (Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media)

• Reducing the Aggression-Promoting Effect of Violent Cartoons (Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media)

• Statistics and Helpful hints from www.actagainstviolence.org

…Such As…

•Monitor what children watch.

•Teach children how to analyze the media and become educated media consumers.

•Show by their own behavior how to be good media consumers.

•Share their rules about exposure to media with other adults in the family or neighborhood.