Psychiatric Effects of Media Violence

Adolescents and young people are among the fastest-growing demographic groups in America. Without strong action against the ever increasing levels of violent entertainment to which they are exposed, the levels of violence already linked to this age group -- in terms of both victims and offenders -- can only be expected to increase.

What Can Be Done?

Corporations that produce and distribute media depictions of violence cannot be allowed to state that they are simply "giving the public what it wants." In a survey commissioned by the American Medical Association, two-thirds of all adults and 75% of adults with children have walked out of a movie or turned off the television because the content was too violent. Clearly, the public doesn't want what the media thinks it wants. While fiercely protective of free speech, Americans still want to be informed about the levels of violent or sexual content in television programs, computer games, music, and movies to which their children could be exposed.

In testimony before Congress, the APA and many other children's advocacy groups have agreed on the necessity of rating systems that not only are explicit as to the specific nature of the content (e.g., violence, sexual situations, adult language), but also must specify the age-appropriateness of the content. Rating systems inevitably involve subjective judgment as well as objective measures but can be an important tool to help ensure positive and developmentally appropriate models of behavior for our impressionable children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be exposed to no more than 1 or 2 hours of television a day. Particularly where young people are concerned, limiting exposure to violence in the media, limiting overexposure to the media in general, and teaching and encouraging critical viewing, listening, videogame-playing, and reading habits can help set the pattern for more positive values, and, ultimately, a less violent, more humane society. Media literacy skills are vital. Rather than allow the media to promote unchallenged the quick fix of violent solutions, conflict resolution skills involving patience and negotiation should be taught.

But no rating system or skills training can substitute for parental involvement. In 1996, the American Medical Association published the Physician Guide to Media Violence. Included therein were a series of steps that parents can take to limit the media's influence on their children:

• Know the shows your children see.

• Don't use television, videos, or video games as a babysitter.

• Limit television use to 1 or 2 quality hours per day.

• Set situation limits (e.g., no television or video games before school or before homework is done.

• Keep television and video player machines out of children's bedrooms.

• Turn the television off during mealtimes.

• Turn television on only when there is something specific you have decided is worth watching, not "to see if there's something on.

• Don't place the television in the most prominent location in your home.

• Watch what your children are watching.

• Be an active viewer: talk and make connections with your children while the program is on.

• Be especially careful of viewing just before bedtime, as emotion-invoking images may linger and intrude into sleep.

• Learn about movies that are playing and the videos available for rental or purchase. Be explicit with children about your guidelines for appropriate movie viewing and review proposed movie choices in advance.

• Set a good example and limit your own television viewing.