Brittany+Divens

Interview: I interviewed a 30 year old man, Hanif Muhammad, who fathered two children.

 * What was your favorite violent video game growing up? Call of Duty
 * How do you think it affected your cognitive behavior? After I watched a violent show, I would always pretend to be the killer and I would role play with my brother.
 * Which medium do you think affects children the most? Television
 * Do you believe that video game playing may be a useful means of coping with pent-up and aggressive energies? Yes, I feel very satisfied after I am finished playing.
 * As a child, did you perceive violent media as reality or fiction? Fiction
 * Do you believe that children who are exposed to a large dose of TV violence when they are young will be less aroused by violent scenes as teenagers? Yes, because after seeing several acts of violence, you will be so used to it.
 * Will you monitor your child’s exposure to violent media? Of course, the shows that are on television today are so violent that I am scared that my kids will pick up bed habits from the tv.
 * If so, how will you restrict violent media messages in your home? I would set parental controls on my television.
 * Overall, how did the media shape your views? Now that I am a parent, I will instruct my children to be very cautious when they leave this house. The news has made me realize that my city is not safe.
 * As a child, did you idolize a villain? What actions did you imitate? I loved the Joker from Batman. I would play pranks on my brothers by jumping on them from the dresser. I made my own flower gun!!
 * Do you believe that frequent exposure to violent media as a child can cause physical assaults or violent criminal behaviors? Yes because it is so easy to copy bad behavior from television.



=**Analysis **= There is a binding connection between a child’s behavior and media violence. Children who indulge in violent content are often characterized as being aggressive and angry. Violence is much more prevalent on television than any other medium. After consuming hours of this sort of content, children merely become numb to the idea of violence. They begin to justify actions that are brutal rather than feeling a sense of fear.  = **Desensitization ** = = = When children undergo desensitization, they abruptly believe that violent behavior is morally right. Call of Duty is a popular video game that involves killing and mischief. This game condones and promotes violence while secreting reality. Video games produce invincible children who deem violence as inevitable. After playing 5 hours of Call of Duty, the child accepts violence because it is pure entertainment and thinks that victims and real-life consequences are non -existence. **Arousal ** Children interact with violent media simply to “arouse” their minds. They have a desire to feel a physiological response in order to be satisfied. Children want to devote their time watching violent media because they are in search of stimulation. They tend to idolize their favorite villain, who appears on their television screen as a killer, which than becomes their role model. After years of viewing heroic models within violent media, children become less “aroused” to violence as they grow older. To eliminate the risk of letting the television raise your child. Parents have to guide their child and monitor the amount of television watched. Install entertainment that is engaging and forces creativity that is not violent.