media influence
How Violent Media Affects the Brain
The blank look on a teen's face when watching a game like "WWF Smackdown" might be a reflection of what's going on in his brain — and a warning sign of things to come.
Indeed, for several years child psychologists have been warning parents about the dangers of repeated exposure to violent video games. Now, there may be medical evidence to back their claims.
Researchers in Indiana have measured the effects on a brain scan. The study's principal investigator, Dr. Vincent Mathews, said prolonged exposure to violence actually affects brain function and behavior.
"The parts of the brain we looked at are the frontal lobes — the areas of the brain that are involved in emotional control, inhibition of behavior and that sort of thing," Mathews said. "The idea is that those parts of the brain don't work as well (after prolonged exposure to violence), and because of that they don't control their behavior as well."
Given an adolescent's natural hormonal mood swings, adding a steady diet of violence is like pouring gasoline on a fire, according to Dr. David Walsh, of the National Institute on Media and the Family.
"There are two things going on," Walsh said. "One is the anger is getting amplified by the ... repetitious acts of violence in the game; then at the same time the buffer to that is less active."
He said the content of most popular games today has no positive value and might shock most parents.
"What good could possibly come from having a 15-year-old spend hours and hours and hours decapitating people and organizing drug rings and murdering prostitutes?" Walsh asked.
More than two-thirds of all children live in a home with a video game system.
To find out more about the study, see the Web site for the Indiana University School of Medicine. http://www.medicine.indiana.edu/news_releases/archive_02/violent_games02.html
Background Information
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Ratings are helpful tools for parents who want to make informed buying decisions.
The Power of the Media
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When Life Imitates Art
We need to be very careful about what we allow ourselves to watch and listen to. Examples of others who didn't make wise choices are numerous, and some of them are frightening.
Children and Television
If parents don't know what their children watch on TV, it may come back to haunt them.
TV Watching Linked to Child Obesity
Your child's weight may be linked to the amount of time he spends watching television.
Questions and Answers
I'm troubled by some of the CDs showing up in our home. How do we set a music standard for our 13-year-old daughter?
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What are the long-term consequences when children watch violent and sexual content on television?
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What is your opinion of video games?
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Review Frequently Asked Questions
Stories
It Matters What They Watch
Steven slaughtered Xbox villains, watched R-rated movies and surfed endless channels on television. Trouble is, lax boundaries steered him down a destructive path.
If you've been through a experience related to this topic, we invite you to share your story with others.Share Your Story
Other Things to Consider
Do What I Do
Children learn by watching us live our lives. It is all the more reason to live honorably.
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Relationships: Parents and Adult Children, Blended Families
