Children inform themselves about the world that surrounds them from a very early age with information they receive from different and various sources such as parents, teachers, friends and media; TV, radio, internet, videos, movies, comic books, music lyrics, and computer games. Media offers a valuable base and powerful tools for learning and entertainment. We have to consider the fact that media also presents information of aggressive nature characterized by violence. While the causes of violent behavior in society are complex and interrelated we must look at some factual information. By the time a child is eighteen years old, he or she will witness on television (average viewing time) more than 200,000 acts of violence – homicide, kidnapping, attacks of theorist groups, school violence – including 40,000 murders (Huston, et al, 1992).

Extensive research for more than four decades has shown that higher levels of children’s exposure to media violence correlate with increased acceptance of aggressive attitudes and behavior. Recent studies continue to associate exposure to violence in the media with violent behaviors.

The fact is that very young children are heavily exposed to various media and because of the excitement, graphic images and color media can have a strong influence on them. The opinion of the foremost experts in the field of violence research confirms what has long been suspected: media violence has seriously negative effects on children. While there is a growing body of hard and verifiable evidence that suggests the violent and sexual content of entertainment media can be harmful to children’s development one thing is certain: the media violence is not going away.

So what can you do about it? You have to think how to limit access of such information and images of violent nature to your children if you are a parent and encourage families to take such steps if you are a teacher. Inca rage your children to read publications, and watch programs designated for their age croup. Talk with them and analyze carefully all that they hear and see to help them understand what information is real and what is not regardless of the convincing and spectacular way of presentation. Additionally, you should impose some tight rules about the kind of media information is allowed and always keep eye on your children’s daily activities.

media, violence, children, media violence, behavior