Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2005-01-12, Page 9Wednesday, January 12, 2005 Exeter Times–Advocate 9 The effects of media violence on children By Derek Mead SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE EXETER — Does media violence effect children in society today? Are violent movies, television shows and cartoons the leading cause of violent crimes committed today? Do parents realize the amount of violence their chil- dren see on television and in the movies? These are all good questions people should be asking themselves. According to a report done by the Committee of Communications in Pediatrics: • Media violence can lead to aggressive behavior in children. Over one thousand studies confirm this. • By age 18, the average child will have viewed about 200,000 acts of violence on television alone. • The level of violence in Saturday morning cartoons is higher then the level of violence during prime time. There are three to five acts of violence per hour in prime time, verses 20 to 50 acts per hour Saturday morning. • Media violence is especially damaging to young children (under age eight) because they cannot easily tell the difference between real life and fantasy. Violent images on television and in the movies may seem real to young children. They can be traumatized by viewing these images. Media violence affects children by: • Increasing aggressiveness and anti -social behavior; • Making them less sensitive to violence and victims of violence; • Increasing their appetite for more violence in entertainment and in real life. Media violence often fails to show the consequences of violence. This is especially true of cartoons, toy com- mercials and music videos. As a result, children learn there are few if any repercussions for committing vio- lent acts. Here are some suggestions from the Center for Media and Values that you can use to protect your children from the massive amounts of violence in the media. Parents can reduce the effect media violence has on children by: • Limiting the amount of television children watch to one to two hours a day; • Monitoring the programs children watch and restricting children's viewing of violent programs; • Monitoring music videos and films children see, as well as the music children listen to, for violent themes; • Teaching children alternatives to violence; • Helping children distinguish between fantasy and reality; • Teaching them that real-life violence has conse- quences; • Watching television with children and discussing the violent acts and images portrayed. Ask children to think about what would happen in real-life if the same type of violent act was committed. Would anyone die or go to jail? Would anyone be sad? Would the vio- Coffee and muffins Thursday morning By Muriel Lewis GRANTON CORRESPONDENT GRANTON — At the Granton -Wesley United Church Jan. 9, lay Pastor Val Hodgins entitled her message `Beloved, Beloved, Beloved'. The lessons were from Isaiah 42, Acts 10 and Matthew 3. Paige Foran lit the Christ Candle. The Youth Group met at the church on Sunday evening. U.C.W. Fourteen members of Granton -Wesley United Church Women Unit 3 met at the home of Lillus Riddell on Tuesday evening. President Irene Richardson welcomed everyone to a new year of fel- lowship and thanked them for their efforts over the last few months. She also read a poem 'New Year Hymn'. Lillus Riddell and Cheryl Wright presented the pro- gram with the theme `Surprised by Joy.' Poems read by Wright were entitled `Can You Believe' and 'My GRAN Favourite Time.' Bible passages from Isaiah 12 and John 16 were also read and information shared on joyfulness and Christianity. The hymn 'As with Gladness' was sung and the program was closed with a prayer of `Thanks for the Season'. During the business it was noted that the annual community supper was well attended and the choral group Spectrum much enjoyed. A decision was made to host coffee and muffin mornings on Thursdays from Jan. 13 to Feb. 3 from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Everyone welcome. The meeting was closed with prayer and grace by Irene Richardson, prior to lunch served by Cheryl and hostess Lillus. At St. Paul's Anglican church in Kirkton Jan. 9, Rev. Dalice Sim celebrated the Holy Eucharist. The message was that the Baptism of Jesus began a new creation of love and forgiveness for all. The lessons were read by Mary Rutten. A time of fellowship followed the service when Wilma Davis' 84th birthday was celebrated. TON NEWS Gambling addictions are making headlines In 2004, Canada's gambling -related suicides approached all time highs and debt ridden people with gambling addic- tions are making headlines. Many Canadians can relate to the chase for the buck. Ontario's chief coroner reported that for 2004, the number of suicides related to casino gambling will reach a record level in the province of Ontario. They are nearing 15 this year - more than double the six gambling -related suicides report- ed two years ago. Families often do not confirm the addiction because of the stigma surrounding gambling; therefore, suicides are not reported as being related to gambling. A disturbing fact released from an Ontario study this year suggested that people with gambling problems account for 36 per cent of the estimated $4 billion spent at the province's casinos, race- tracks and lottery kiosks. An estimated 10 million adults bet $11.3 billion in 2002 on gambling venues such as slot machines, lottery tickets, bingo and casino games; four times the $2.7 billion spent ten years ago. In 2002, three-quarters of adult Canadians spent money on some form of gambling. According to Statistics Canada, more than one in 20 either became or had the potential to become problem gamblers. Judith Glyn Willians, director of grants operations at Ontario Problem Gambling Research, stated that this source of gov- ernment revenue is feeding off vulnera- ble populations. Premier Dalton McGuinty stated in November 2004 that "there is no doubt about it, we have come to rely on gambling revenues." McGuinty said "perhaps in a better world we wouldn't, but the fact of the matter is it's here, it's here to stay." McGuinty was responding to the results of the disturb- ing Ontario study released in 2004. It is helpful to share your problem with someone. Professional support is avail- able. If you or a family member is strug- gling with a gambling problem, call Huron Addiction Services, a part of the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416. If calling long distance dial 1-877-837- 6143. A gambling counselor will support you with your concerns. All calls are confidential and there is no fee for our services. ""4°D Dr. Geoff Hann cap aa,f 105 MAIN ST., EXETER 235-1535 chiropractor • back/neck/joint pain • workplace injuries • auto accidents • sports injuries • orthotics NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS lence solve the problem or just create more? • Asking children how they feel after watching a vio- lent television show, movie or music video. As a student at South Huron, I think what children see on television does not have an effect on the way children develop. I think a child's behaviour towards violence is a reflection of the way a child has been brought up. Television, movies and cartoons do not tell children what they should and should not do — that is a task that is supposed to be taken on by parents. Sources for this article: "Media Violence," AAP Committee on Communications, in Pediatrics, Vol. 95, No. 6, June 1995. "Suggestions for Parents: Children Can Unlearn Violence," in the Center for Media and Values (now the Center for Media Literacy) Media and Values, No. 62, 1993, "Media and Violence: Part One: Making the Connections." — Derek Mead is a student in South Huron District High School's Grade 11/12 Communications class. His article is one of a series students in the class will write for the Times -Advocate this year. Capsule Comments by Ernie Miatello Is Guiness' stout therapeutic? There was a recent study done comparing it to Holland's Heineken lager. Guiness seemed twice as likely to prevent blood clots due to its high flavonoid content. Flavonoids are chemicals known to prevent blood clots and hinder cholesterol deposits from forming in the arteries. We're not recommending drinking lots of the dark stuff but it is interesting. Fungal infections of the finger or toe nails are very difficult to treat. Oral and topical medications are available but it does take awhile to work. Newer medications you can paint on the nail are coming soon. They show promise. The cholesterol reduction drug market is big business. Would you believe that one drug company has over $1 billion in sales on one cholesterol-lowering drug alone? Now companies are looking at combining Iwo different cholesterol-lowering drugs for better effect. During pregnancy, the best advice is to keep medications to a minimum to protect the fetus. Even coffee is a medication and current thinking is to keep consumption to less than three cups a day. This includes tea as well. Huron Apothecary Ltd. •A• Phone 235-1982, PHAR, 440 Main St. Exeter AS55 "YOUR HEALTH CARE PHARMACY" AvonDISTRICT SCHOOL BOMaitland Learning for a Lifetime Welcome to Kindergarten The Avon Maitland District School Board and its community public elementary schools are proud to offer a quality learning opportunity for our young citizens entering school for the first time. Junior and Senior Kindergarten offer a place where your child can grow and learn in a positive educational environment. r Kindergarten Registration 2005 - 2006 Monday, January 24, 2005 - Friday, January 28, 2005 at public elementary schools throughout Huron and Perth Counties For Senior Kindergarten Students must be 5 years of age on or before December 31, 2005 For Junior Kindergarten Students must be 4 years of age on or before December 31, 2005 A complete registration and information package is available at your nearest public elementary school or contact Darlene Million at 1-800-592-5437 Ext 112 For further information visit our website at Geoff Williams Director of Education www.yourschools.ca Meg Westley Chair