The technology that kids have access to today can defy the understanding of parents who grew up before You Tube, CNN and Grand Theft Auto.
In fact, many of us grew up in a time where the worst television had to offer was a boat full of amorous vacationers, music was on vinyl and the Internet was something out of Star Trek.
So it's easy to see why so many of us are at a loss when it comes to guiding our kids through a maze of 24-hour gangsta rap videos, shoot and obliterate video games, and movies that depict every conceivable way to maim, kill or destroy just about everything.
It's also easy to see why we blame an increase in societal violence on the increase in media violence. But is the correlation fair?
What does the research tell us?
Researchers are as divided as everyone else. Why? Because media violence is very hard to define and there are so many other factors that can potentially cause kids to act out violently, like gender, poverty, lack of parental involvement and neglect.
A recent report released by the Vanier Institute of the Family linked the rise in youth behavioural problems to multiple causes. Those causes being:
- soaring divorce rates
- reduced parental availability
- poor supervision
- impoverished neighbourhoods
- lower levels of public civility
- diminished influence of religious institutions
- violence-promoting media
Even more research has linked the rise in aggression and promiscuity in today's youth to fatherlessness and single-parent families.
So the research shows that media violence is not the sole cause of real-life violence. It might contribute but it in and of itself will not turn kids bad.
What should parents do?
- Educate yourself about the different forms of media your child uses by using it yourself.
- Learn what television ratings mean.
- Watch the shows your children watch. If you think it's inappropriate then talk to your kids about why it's inappropriate and don't let them watch it.
- Listen to the hip hop, rap and other music that your kids like before you dismiss it. A lot of music carries positive messages. If you find it offensive, then talk to your kids about why you find it offensive and generate a conversation about it. Let your kids debate the issue.
- Play video games with your kids and make sure they are age-appropriate. If it's too violent, don't let them play it but tell them why.
- Spend time with your kids and get them involved in activities that do not involve any form of remote control, mouse or joystick.
- Work on teaching your kids empathy.
- Do not promote violence in your home if you don't want your kids to think violence is okay.
