Violence on TV - The New Journal

Television has become a very powerful influence in developing value systems in shaping the character and behavior of children and adolescents. The most unfortunate thing is that most television programs, essentially from the U.S., contain a high degree of violence.

Psychiatrists studying the effects of television violence have found that children and adolescents imitate the violence they see in it, are identified as victims or perpetrators; gradually accept violence as a way to solve their problems

sometimes see only a violent program can increase aggressiveness. Children who view shows in which violence is presented in a very realistic way, repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see.

The impact of violence on television may be reflected in the child’s behavior immediately or develop later in their development. So extensive exposure to programs containing violence causes increased aggression in children. May be affected even though the family atmosphere no tendency toward violence. This does not mean that the violence seen on TV is the sole cause of violent or aggressive behavior, but there is no doubt that it is a significant factor.

Nell Postman, author of Television and adolescents, advises parents to protect children from excessive TV violence in the following way: paying more attention to programs children watch, setting limits on the time spent watching television, preventing viewing of violent programs, change the channel or turn off the TV when offensive scenes appear and explain to the child what they consider wrong program

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child, although the actor was not hurt, injured or killed, violence can cause pain or death if it happens in real life; disapprove violent episodes; emphasize that this is not the best way to solve a problem. To counter the pressure from colleagues and friends should contact other parents to enforce similar rules on the time and type of program you should see.

should use these measures to prevent the harmful effects of television in other areas such as racial or sexual stereotyping. Apart from the content of the program, the time children engaged in this activity should be limited, as the most profitable shows play activities with their friends, family interaction, study and reading.

this work should help the state and the government. It is necessary that the government, through the Ministry of Education, design a television education policy consistent with the educational programs of secondary education to build a culture of coexistence.

School is privileged to support this new vision without sacrificing current space programs, but instilling new approaches and knowledge on peace and human rights, and above all, democratic change in student-teacher relationships and in school everyday.

Nicaragua should be a National Media Council with the purpose of designing cultural and educational programs that occur on channel six, led to the formation of Nicaraguan children and youth, according to the programs of the Ministry of education.

* Jurist and historian.