Monday, Feb 21, 2005
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By R. Prasad
CHENNAI, FEB. 20. Scientists have once again underscored the connection between violent imagery in the media and their effects, though short-term, on young children's arousal, thoughts and emotions. Such imagery can increase the likelihood of aggressive or fearsome behaviour. Analysing data from six North American reviews studying the effects of media violence on children, scientists from the University of Birmingham, U.K., have found evidence of passive viewing (television and films) and interactive viewing (video and computer games) on the children. Publishing their findings in the journal, The Lancet, the scientists observed that children exposed to violence in the media showed more aggressive behaviour in the short-term.
Role of family
This was found to be particularly true in the case of boys. The evidence was less consistent when considering older children and teenagers, and the long-term effects for all ages. The role of the family and social factors, it was found, played a critical role in influencing the child's response to violent imagery. One of the studies found film violence having a greater impact on children who had grown up in violent families. And this effect was found to persist even when socio-economic status, intelligence and parenting were taken into account, suggesting that some of the influence is independent of other factors. According to the scientists, the need of the hour is for parents to exercise the same care and precautions when dealing with adult media entertainment as they would do while dealing with chemicals, medicines or fire. Carelessness with material that contains extremely violent and sexual imagery, according to them, might even be regarded as a form of emotional maltreatment of the child.
Producers' responsibility
Kevin Browne of the University of Birmingham, who is one of the authors of the report, says film producers also need to recognise the potential effects of their violent images on vulnerable audiences who might not have the capacity or the will to see violence in the context of the story. As for the parents, Dr. Browne suggests that they watch age-appropriate violent material with their children and take pains to explain and help them to critically apprise what is shown in films in terms of realism, justification and consequences. This way, the parents can help reduce the effect of violent imagery and put it in the right perspective.
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