Interview+on+Media+Violence

=The class was assigned to interview a parent or relative to find out their ideas and views on media violence and its affect on children. The following is a summary of that interview. =



Children are controlling more money than ever, and the increase in children’s’ marketing proves it. This marketing has created a media boom aimed directly at children. But what about the media that isn’t necessarily geared towards children? What about the violence and harmful media that can be found almost anywhere in our every day lives? Harmful media comes in the form of television, movies, music, video games, and the internet. The most powerful form of media is definitely the internet. Sites like YouTube have become a haven for young people to spend countless hours watching inane videos. YouTube has no explicit censoring, so children are free to watch basically whatever they want. Many videos on YouTube are highly graphic and often violent, but because they have a comedic aspect, are intriguing to children. Today’s media is much more accessible to children than it was ten years ago. The internet has grown magnanimously. There are more TV channels and television services like ON DEMAND, which create easy access to anyone holding the remote. Children no longer need parents help to access media, they can simply use the internet. Ten years ago most people still drove to the video store to rent movies or games. Now you can download them right at home.
 *  __Interview with Brad Hortman__ **

There is no doubt that children are increasingly imitating media violence. The interviewee’s ten year old cousin loves wrestling. He used to practice the moves with his older sister until he got too big and sometimes hurt her. Now he has made himself a dummy, almost like a scarecrow which he practices all the moves on while he is watching TV. Unfortunately for parents there is no way to protect their children from harmful media. Even if it isn’t in the home they will see it at school, in stores, at friends’ houses, or on the street. The best way for parents to ensure their children are safe is by sitting down and talking to them about what they see. Parents must explain to their kids what is and isn’t real. They also need to make sure that their children understand the consequences of violence in the real world.

**The interviewee Brad Hortman is a 27 year old graduate student. His views and opinions are based almost entirely on what he has learned through the media. He has no previous knowledge or schooling of media or the topic which he was questioned on. This interview was conducted in an open-ended manner allowing him to express his ideas without interference from the interviewer. These ideas are solely his.**

==The following is a list of some of the questions used for the interview == 1. Do you think media violence affects children negatively? 2. What do you consider to be carriers of harmful media? 3. Which type of media do you think is most influential to children? Which media is the most easily accessible? Why? 4. Do you think children today are exposed to more media than those who grew up just ten years ago? 5. Have you ever witnessed first hand a young child imitating violence that they saw through some type of media? 6. Do you believe that children are becoming desensitized to violence? What does this mean for the future generation? 7. What would be your advice to parents to protect their children from harmful media?

Here are 3 videos that help illustrate the points made in the interview summary. media type="youtube" key="PTxHJMM6hHE" height="344" width="425" A child this age should never be expressing this type of rage, especially over a video game. When and where did he learn to experience this emotion? And why haven't his parents stepped in to explain to him that this behavior is not acceptable?

media type="youtube" key="7NfG-wfGfjU" height="344" width="425" These boys are a key example of why games like Halo 3 are inappropriate and harmful to children. They discuss weapons, killing, and death with ease as they stalk one another in the virtual Halo world.

media type="youtube" key="DS6Q-Gdm_UU" height="344" width="425" This video is particularly sad and shocking as the two small boys fight each other while their parents taunt and encourage them in the background. This is a poor display of parenting, and a good example of what Not To Do if you want your children to maintain their childhood innocence.

Both the interview and this page are the creative workings of Leah Sacksteder