While the blogger seems to suggest that the mass media has only negative impact on the majority with its somewhat violent contents, I tend to see things a little differently from him.
Although it is agreeable to a very large extent that the mass media has a great ability to cause major influences and impact to the lives of many, it should also be noted that there are many factors dependent on individuals as well to allow for such influence to affect one.
I feel that kids are most likely to be the victim of media violence. As they are still relatively young and tender with limited ability to judge between right and wrong, kids are usually the most vulnerable ones. However, I feel that with adequate supervision and guidance from accompanying adults when they are exposed to such violent content, there should not be any serious consequences. In fact, with the help of adults, kids may even be able to learn that violence should be avoided, and thus this may also result in a latent manifest.
As for adults, media violence can allow one to release his or her anger suppressions. In today’s stressful environment, it is not surprising that many often found the need to vent their anger on something. Some may indulge themselves in violent contented games such as Diablo, War Craft and etc or even violent movies to relieve their stress levels, and although it may not be ideally realistic or that it may be quite a sadistic way or anger management, I feel that it at least helps one to release their inner anger or suppression. Long term suppressions are often unhealthy and can lead to serious psychological problems. Hence I feel that as long as one is conscious of their own actions and do not go overboard in indulging in such violent contents over an excessive extent, I have not objections to media violence.
At the same time, I feel that the media can also help by coming out with different ratings for the different level of violence content. I am glad that Singapore’s MDA (Media Development Authority) is contributing to make our media exposure/experience better for all by coming out with a scheme that rates media contents from PG (parental guidance), NC 16 (No Children under 16), M18 (Mature 18) to R21 (Rated 21), which is believe to help consumers know which contents are more appropriately catered for them. Hence, with the help of this, and the help of our own conscious minds, media violence may not exactly be a totally bad thing after all.
I think media is a great influence of violence towards the children. My cousins were trying out the WWF stuns to each other and the younger one injuried his elbow! Despite this painful lesson, he still loved to try out!
ReplyDeleteHmm, in my opinion this is actually a very serious issue in today's society! kids tend to emmulate what they see on television & there are already countless research done to show that kids start doing what the characters on TV have done after watching a violent tv program.
ReplyDeletein fact, even cartoons can be violent too! the kids at the childcare i used to go to used to start jumping around & fighting each other like the super heros they saw on the cartoon shows. therefore, media content should definitely be vetted or labelled so that parents can supervise their kids while they still get to enjoy their favourite tv shows! (:
I think what your talking about is direct affects model. I generally dont believe in that but when it comes to kids i think that this model is true. Otherwise i believe in the limited effects theory where it doesnt matter what we see because its just the media.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, with the rise in the number of working parents, many are too busy to adequately supervise and provide proper guidance to their children. Children are often left to their own devices or with domestic helpers. Hence, I feel that media violence does have negative effects and serious consequences on kids.
ReplyDeletePreviously, while I was mentoring at a primary school, the kids there tend to resort to violence(such as smacking each other or throwing the tables and chairs around) and undesired language to make their opinions be heard or when they simply could not get their way.
Furthermore, although it is a good move by the MDA to implement the rating system, there are some who intentionally abuse this system and view media content that is inappropriate for them. This then defeats the intended purpose of the MDA.
The effect of mass media can definitely be apparently seen and felt. Personally, in the local context, I feel that we've been importing a lot of the western, especially American television programs into our state. So much so that it influences children in a way that they are becoming small adults in their behaviors.
ReplyDeleteEven "children friendly" Disney's programs contain quite subtle forms of sexual, physical and/or verbal violence in an indirect way. But due to the fact that they are still children, they are yet able to comprehend informations appropriately. Behaviors are modeled after and learned; media violence could inoculate young minds.
I agree that as for the adults, it could be a way of coping for them. I also think that adults should be more responsible for their young ones by supervising them. There are also more regulatory ways to help parents do so. Such as the one you've mentioned on the censorship levels. There are also parental control options over the internet and online games.
Some people grow out of violence and some doesn't. At least there are some form of regulations available for the younger ones. As for the adults, it's a matter of choice.
Yeah, I agree that media indeed plays a very big role in society today. People tend to follow whatever the media portrays, expecially young children. With shows like WWF, young children might think that it is alright to follow because it's television, if they can broadcast it for the world to see then it should be fine and acceptable. And also with cartoons like the gory Happy Tree Friends, what is the media trying to portray? Thus parental guidance is definitely crucial to ensure that the young ones understands the difference between right and wrong.
ReplyDeleteI too think that with guidances from adults, media can have minimal impact on young, innocent and naive kids.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most impt purposes of the media is to influence. Therefore, i guess we can't exactly blame the media for leading young minds astray. One should take precautionary actions if they want to allow kids who are not sensible enough to watch shows or get exposed to other form of media that may corrupt their minds.