Violence is physical force exerted to violate, damage and abuse. It is an ever-present feature of society thus making it a universal characteristic within the New Media.
New Media: new information and communication technologies from the 20th century and into the new millennium.
Violence in new media is reported and portrayed in video sharing sites, social networking sites and online video gaming. Many have express concern about the effects it has on children and teenagers.
Violence in New Media can be in the form of vulgar languages, destructive acts and sexual contents.
The type of aggression seen in youth violence due to New Media can range from bullying and physical fighting to assault and homicide.
Different consequences between girls and boys
The video link below demonstrates clearly how New Media violence has more negative repercussion on boys than girls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3exzMPT4nGI (Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity)
Effects of Violent Online Gaming on Children and Teenagers:
Violent online video games have been successfully marketed to the youth as they can be easily downloaded by any online user – young or old.
School shootings by boys in the US for the past twenty years were often associated with history of playing violent video games.
Now, online gaming is taking over and the effects would likely be similar if measures are not taken seriously.
Effects of Violent videos from You Tube on Children and Teenagers:
New Media explosion on youth violence is increasing over the years to the extent youngsters imitate what the video is teaching and start acting aggressively whenever they feel like it even if they have no cruel intentions.
Three major effects of watching violence in the new media are children may:
1. become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others
2. be more fearful of the world around them
3. be more likely to behave in destructive or hurtful
ways towards others
Preventions and Solutions:
Social-networking sites are beginning to add additional safeguards for young users.
Security software also offers some protection.
Parents should:
- be aware of the risks and engage the children about safety in New Media to keep your family safer online
- limit children’s exposure to violent acts online
- educate your kids the consequences of being violent
- introduce them to sports, music, or the arts to distract them from going online unnecessarily
REAL LIFE example of the effects of New Media Violence on Children and Teenagers:
In 20 October 2007, a 17-year-old teenager Daniel Petric in Wellington(USA) killed his mother and shot his father because they took his Halo 3 video game.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/petric_hearing.html (Wellington teen Daniel Petric convicted of aggravated murder in mother’s death)
YES! The tragic incident above was REAL!
Are we going to blame new media for the rise of violence in kids and teens?
In the first place, why are we letting our young ones access to New Media?
Are we drawn to the idea that it is a trend and therefore alright for children to get entry to new media independently?
The reality today is the result of the fantasy yesterday. We keep asking when violence will end. Old media like television and video games could not solve it. Now, even new media cannot control it.
It is up to us to be in charge of this real new media issue. It might not affect us now but certainly will – in the future – when our children start to defy us at an even more manipulative and forceful tone than we have ever use to our own parents.
Effects of New Media Violence on KIDS and TEENS 