Psychological Effects of Violence Shown in Media Content on Children: A Study of Parents’ Perception
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The current study aimed to measure the psychological effects of violence in media content on children’s behaviour, desensitization towards real-life violence, and disassociation from cultural norms and values. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from N=300 parents through online survey to analyze three key variables. These included the time children spend consuming violent media content, their aggressive behavioral outcomes, and desensitization towards violence and cultural disassociation. Findings revealed strong positive correlations between violent media exposure and its adverse outcomes. Specifically, children who consumed more violent media exhibited higher levels of aggression (r = 0.443, p = 0.001), reduced sensitivity towards real-life violence (r = 0.475, p = 0.003), and greater disassociation from cultural norms and values (r = 0.621, p = 0.000). These results support the hypotheses that exposure to violent media fosters learned aggression, normalizes violence, and disrupts cultural identity as well as social relationships among children. The study underscored the critical need for parental monitoring, media literacy initiatives, and regulatory measures to mitigate these harmful effects. Furthermore, the research contributed to the broader understanding of media's role in shaping children’s behavioral and social development.
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