Violence in media, whether it’s TV shows, movies or video games, can plant the seed of aggression in children as young as just a few years old. Children don’t watch violent media because they’re aggressive; they may, however, become more aggressive through watching high levels of violent media. While other factors, such as an individual’s genetics, can contribute to an increased level of aggression, children’s environments play a huge role in their behavior. Studies have shown a direct correlation between increased consumption of violent media and aggression in children. Any medium—whether it be films, music, video games or even a constant, sensationalized news cycle—poses risks to young individuals whose minds are still malleable.
Violent media, although widely seen as harmless, has the potential to increase aggression and desensitize individuals to violence. Multiple studies, such as those seen in a 1982 report by the National Institute of Mental Health, have proven these destructive impacts. This influence doesn’t necessarily manifest as physical aggression but can additionally be seen in verbal outbursts or a lack of anger management. Children have a tendency to imitate behaviors they see, which can be extremely harmful when they consistently watch violence. Consequently, later in their lives they may be more inclined to repeat violent acts that they witnessed when they were children.
But increased consumption of violent media at an early age not only poses threats to others: it can also harm the individual’s own well-being. When individuals normalize the content that they take in, it alters their perception of the world. If a child watches action movies often or if they closely follow news sources that exaggerate events to attract viewers, they may grow up to think that society is hostile and mistrust others. Research has proven a direct link between these individuals and mental health issues like anxiety and depression, resulting from a lack of trust.
When exposed to a constant stream of violence, especially at an early age, individuals can become desensitized. This is especially detrimental when it comes to crimes or physical violence: when people are desensitized to violence, they are more likely to commit an act of aggression without experiencing remorse or regret. They believe that it’s normal because they’ve seen so much violence already.
Violence, on a moral level, should never be included in content aimed at children. While it’s not common for an adult who plays “Call of Duty” to become aggressive, it could have a bigger impact on developing children. Because a young individual’s mind is more susceptible to external influence, it’s therefore unjust to—even inadvertently—harm individuals at such a young age when they’re most vulnerable.
There have been various claims that violent media, specifically video games, serve as an outlet for children to express their emotions. However, these theories have long been debunked by studies proving the opposite: these video games make a child more prone to aggressive behavior later in life.
Yes, most movies or games contain violence. It’s unavoidable. But if we can’t regulate them as a society, we must take individual steps. First, we need to at least realize that there is harm in letting a young individual consume violent media.
For individuals like high schoolers whose minds are still developing yet are at an age that they can take action, limiting intake of violent media is paramount. But in the case that the child is too young to understand the dangers themselves, parents especially have a responsibility to protect their children, which means regulating their kids’ access to violent music, video games and movies at home. It’s also important to regularly have discussions about the danger of harming others, and to instill kids with a sense of empathy at an early age. The best way to curtail extreme aggression in a child is to stop it before it happens.
