How does media violence affect children?
Violence in the media is common. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that the average child in the U.S. has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television by the age of 18. However, the media includes video games, music, magazines and the Internet as well.Media Violence Does Affect KidsAccording to many reputable organizations, such as the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, media violence does affect the way children behave.Younger ChildrenYounger children are perhaps more affected by media violence, because they are vulnerable and impressionable. They also have difficulty knowing the difference between make-believe and reality.HabituationOne specific way in which the media affects kids in through the concept of habituation. That is, they are desensitized to violence if repeatedly exposed to it.Observation and ImitationChildren learn by observing and imitating what they see othe
