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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-03-15, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2000. PAGE 23. How to protect your kids from TV violence Anyone who has spent time observing children knows that their actions and beliefs are influenced •by their experiences particularly the models that adults provide be those positive or negative. Toddlers are a prime example. They imitate our actions, putting on daddy’s shoes, baking a cake like mommy. School age children sometimes mimic the worst qualities. How many times have we overheard children playing house or some other imaginary games saying to their little sister “Stop that before Mommy gets mad” or some other phrase parents were determined not to say? A study on television violence and its effects on children of different ages, written by Wendy Josephson and distributed by the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, reviewed psychological research on the subject and determined that television violence has a negative effect on children. In particular, television violence can have extremely serious effects on children who are abused or neglected. In general, studies indicate that television violence can; provide models for children to imitate violence and crime seen on television (copycat violence); reduce inhibitions against behaving aggressively; trigger” impulsive acts of aggression and take time away from activities such as socializing with other children and interacting with adults that would teach children nonviolent ways to solve conflicts. Television violence has also been .found to have emotional effects on children. Children may become desensitized to real life violence. They may come to see the world as a mean and scary place or they may come to expect others to resort to physical violence to resolve conflicts. The studies also looked more specifically at how children of different ages are affected by what they are watching. At age two and a half, toddlers begin to pay attention to the television set and begin to imitate what they see and hear on television. Since toddlers have a strong preference for cartoons and other programs that have characters who move fast, there is considerable likelihood that they will be exposed to large amounts of violence. Preschoolers behave more aggressively than usual in their play after watching any high- action, exciting television content, but especially after watching violent television. By age eight children are more likely to be sensitive to important moderating influences of television content and will not become more aggressive themselves if the violence they see is portrayed as evil, as causing human suffering or as resulting in punishment or disapproval. But they are especially Stilt hday fautp Sicice. Jtaic/i 22 Stappy fBiitlidag, fBtendan Since Jitaicfi 30 Love from the family likely to show increased aggression from watching violent television if they believe the violence reflects real life, they identify with a violent hero (as boys often do) or if they engage in aggressive fantasies. One boy described a deliberate attempt to reduce his own fear by using identification. “The first time I saw Nightmare on Elm Street it was easy. I pretended I was Freddy Kruger. Then I wasn’t scared. Now, that’s what I always do and I am never scared.” Since identifying with an aggressive hero has a strong influence on increasing aggression, this tactic for reducing fear is chilling. Children may try to conquer their fears of vulnerability and victimization by desensitizing themselves through repeated exposure to horror movies but to the extent that they desensitize themselves to violence and fear they are also very likely becoming more tolerant of violence in the real world. Abused children watch more television than other children do, prefer violent programs and appear to admire violent heroes. Children who are abused and watchers of a great deal of television are more E ntertainment Madill hosts coffee house A small group of students at F. E. Madill Secondary School are currently organizing the second annual Coffee House for Cancer. This event, which will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the main entrance gym, began with the students’ desires to increase awareness of cancer and to raise money for cancer research. Last year’s event was quite successful, raising over $850 for charity. The goal for this year is to match or possibly even surpass that amount. The coffee house will consist mainly of musical and dance performances by local students in a charming, casual atmosphere. Beverages and snacks will be THE WAR AMPS Child amputees say For more Information call: 1-800-250-3030 Atwood Lions Bingo every Thursday Doors open 6:30 p.m. Starts at 7:00 p.m. Jackpot $500. on 54 calls Pot of Gold $500. on 56 calls Loonie Bin likely to commit violent crimes later in life since they are more likely than other children to perceive television content as accurately reflecting the real world and they may identify with violent characters. There are a number of ways parents can limit their children’s exposure to violence. Restricting the amount and types of programs children watch is probably the most effective approach for children of all ages. However there are also strategies specifically appropriate for children at different ages. Since toddlers have a strong preference for cartoons and other programs that have characters who move fast there is considerable likelihood that they will be exposed to large amounts of violence. Limiting such programs is wise with toddlers, who are at an age when they like to imitate what they see in life and on television. It is not the violence itself that makes the cartoons attractive to preschoolers but the accompanying vivid production features. Educational programs that use such features as animation also appeal to toddlers without the negative effects of violence content. Another important thing parents can do is to watch less violent available and there will be a draw for several door prizes provided by local businesses. This is a marvelous opportunity for anyone interested in enjoying a night of entertainment while supporting an excellent cause. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for children. This includes admission, one beverage and a snack as well as a door prize entry. They are available in advance at F. E. Madill Secondary School, Sewing Galore and Mrs. B’s Baskets and More, all located in Wingham, or they may be purchased at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society. < Medic Alert ALWAYS ON CALL www.medicalert.ca For more information 1-SDD-66S-15D7 CNPIToZ KEB TWIN CINEMA | SURROUND SOUND STEREO | ■ LISTOWEI, 291-3070 2 STARTS FRIDAY r CINEMA 1 7 & 9 PM Z PITCH BLACK aa t CINEMA 2 7 PM pg HANGING UP MEG RYAN, LISA KUDROW,K- n DIANE KEATON M 9 PM (7 ACADEMY AWARD AA NOMINATIONS CIDER HOUSE RULES television themselves when their children are awake as toddlers are highly influenced by their parents viewing habits. While watching television together as a family has positive benefits, it has been found that when most of our family time is spent around the television, the negative effects of television increase. Under these circumstances, children watch more violence and have more faith in the reality of television portrayals. It has been found that when parents do watch violent programs with their children but do not Sloppy, 35* ‘Uleddiny (Lnniiwi&aiy Granny & Granda (Vai & Bill Frazer) March 13 Love from Angie, Nicole, Darren & Samantha Lordy, Lordy, Look who's forty March 19th Love all your girls XOXO discuss the content with them their children may actually become more aggressive. It may seem to children that their parents appear to be in favour of violent activities if they watch such actions on the screen and do not comment on their inappropriateness. Rather than just watching together, parents need to discuss, explain and challenge. In particular, older children and adolescents need to be encouraged to express their opinions and to analyze and question television content. This strategy has been found to reduce their fears and aggressiveness. Happy 1st Birthday Kailey March 16th All our love Mom & Dad Lordy, Lordy Look Who's 40 Love family & friends