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Danny McKeon
Dr. Sheila E. Murphy
English 102
26 February 2014
Media Influence on Children Behavior and Growth
Humanity has a goal: to be intellectually expansive, adequately adaptive, and
continuously evolving. It conquers the unexpected obstacles and obscurities brought on by
challenges met in life while giving us knowledge for future societies. However, a question
emerges; has our society become too explicit, too violent, and too comfortable to realize that
we might be missing the opportunity to establish adequate ethical integrity for the young
pioneers of the future? Have we allowed public media and celebrities to influence and
manipulate children? Has parenting become more unorthodox? Are children being affected by
unsuitable environments and situations at school or by their own curiosity? Or has violence
inhibited the moral growth of children behavior? Children are being poisoned by todays society
whether you believe it or not, and most of the poison comes from the media. So hopefully
showing the facts will make the public aware of what is harming childrens behavior, morals,
and growth.
The big culprit that affects childrens behavior and morals in todays society is the public
media and celebrities that have unscrupulous comportment on television, movies, or MVs
(Music Videos). Beginning at early ages, children start developing an interest in music, movies,

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and influential icons that will spark there personality traits, behavior, and moral development in
their lives. An excess of influence and stimulation by todays media can be a health risk and
harm for children. According to the article Health Effects of Media on Children and
Adolescents, recent statistics have taken place that 93% of youth aged 12 to 17 are on-line,
and 71% have a cell phone. Internet users report watching videos (57%), creating and visiting
social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook (65%), making on-line purchases (38%),
and getting health information (28%). Youth are also avid gamers, with 97% of adolescents
reporting that they play video games on the computer, Web, handheld device, or console
(Health Effects). The results of these regularly used media sources influence behavior and
beliefs by providing false or misleading information and the impact it could have on brain
development (Health Effect).
A couple media used over by children today are video games and television. This kind of
media can cause repercussive effects on children and their behavior. The amount of violent
content portrayed through video games and television has an effect on childrens moral
conception of violence. Recent research indicates that repeated exposure to mediated
violence can lead to anxiety and fear, acceptance of violence as an appropriate means of solving
conflict, and desensitization, with resulting increases in aggression and decreases in altruism
(Health Effects). Further support of this view suggests that moral development can be slightly
hindered from the effects of fantasy violence on television (Media and Moral Development).
Violent media are perceived to affect child behaviors antisocially. Here is how children perceive
that violent media through the things they watch.

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Indeed, children as young as one are capable of imitating simple behaviors

displayed on television. Children are more likely to imitate observed behaviors
that are rewarded than those that are punished. Children will also imitate
behaviors that produce no consequences because, especially in the case of
antisocial acts, the lack of punishment can serve as a tacit reward. The type of
media role model also makes a difference. Children are most likely to learn from
models that are attractive than from those they perceive as similar to
themselves (Media and Antisocial Behavior).
Children will react to certain behaviors they see on television or video games. It is our
responsibility to make sure we are monitoring everything they consume through the media.
Another dilemma posed by the media provides serious risk to children are the
celebrities and pop stars we glorify so much. Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas quotes something that
is very true, A cigarette in the hands of a Hollywood star onscreen is a gun aimed at a 12- or
14-year-old (Eszterhas). Celebrities and pop stars a potent influence on their fans that is
virtually hypnotic. This can cause children to imitate or want to behave as their favored pop star
or celebrity. Inspiring children to behave or dress like the celebrities they watch and even want
to smoke like them. An example of celebrities provoking inappropriate behavior for children is
music videos. Music videos have very explicit content, innuendos, and suggestive themes that
display childrens favorite music artist performing their song with sometimes unnecessary
vulgarity.

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Music is one of the most emotional and influential forces that human beings experience.
It depicts whatever emotion ranging from sadness, to hurt, anger, or happiness. Some music
suggests drugs, makes sexual references, or talks about violence, mostly in rap music. This type
of music children should not be presented to, as it potentially promotes improper morals and
behavioral development. Ever since the emergence of rap and hip-hop music, controversy has
emerged from concerned parents. In an article by the global post, writer Lori A. Selke mentions
how this type of music can be influential to children. She also discusses how this type of music
is very explicit and provocative to a number of inappropriate subjects for children. In another
article from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Impact of Music, Music Lyrics, Music Videos
on Children and Youth, a research was conducted. In 1999 with a sample of 345 mothers
from public schools revealed that 47% of the mothers believed that violent messages in rap
music contribute to school violence; yet, according to a 2007 report from the Kaiser Family
Foundation on parents, children, and the media, only 9% of parents revealed being concerned
about inappropriate content in music. In 1999 almost half of schools were worried about what
type of music their children were listening to, but what is startling is the parents concern in
2007. What happened to their concern?
In recent study by teacher and children education enthusiast Brenda McKeon (aka
Mom), a tally was taken with her 3rd grade class at Desert Ridge Elementary School to recognize
the type of music children listen to today. The two top competitors of music children enjoy
listening to compose of pop and rap music. With the tally of pop music reaching ten out of
twenty-five students listening to Katie Perry, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and Selena Gomez. We
can see here how pop music is prudent in todays culture, as well as rap music. The tally of rap

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music reaches ten out of twenty-five just as the pop music tally did. Popular choices of artist
children listen to for rap consist of Eminem, T-Mills, and lil Wayne (lol). The smallest tally taken
was for other genres including, classical music, jazz, country, rock and roll, etc. This tally
reached an unsurprising five out of twenty-five; this really says a lot about what children are
listening to in todays society. It also proves what the American Academy of Pediatrics said in
the most recent paragraph about parents not really paying attention to what their children are
listen to. Honestly, children listening to Lil Wayne and Eminem are not very suitable choices for
children at that age. Especially, considering what these artist talk about in their music.
According to sex therapist Peg Ren, people like Miley Cyrus are good role models for
younger girls. This is rather disturbing. Ren says Miley's performance may have been raunchy,
but no one can deny that she seemed to be enjoying flaunting her sexual power and prowess.
She would be no man's sexual victim. She modeled for our girls that even a sweet Hannah
Montana could grow into a sexually confident young woman who is having a very good time
with her sexuality (Peg Ren). Now its all fine and dandy that Miley Cyrus can shake her butt
and perform her intricate tongue exercises, but why on television in front of millions of people?
Taking a look at some of the analysis done on how TV harms children by the Catholic
Educational Resource center. About eighty percent of children are either left alone or
unattended to be watching the sexually empowered Miley Cyrus shake her saggy butt on
television. Now there is a good idea! Why dont we pay Miley Cyrus to teach our adolescent
girls everything about being a sexually empowered woman? She is an obvious astounding role
model that sweet, innocent Hannah Montana.

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Another subject that has been a controversy for quite some time is allowing kids to use
the internet. In an article by the Telegraph, reporter Tom Leonard states how hours of internet
activity may be good for children. Dont know if this guy is crazy, or is just trying to be funny.
According to Leonard, Use of websites such as Facebook and MySpace, and the video sharing
site YouTube, improved young people's technology and literacy levels as well as helping them
get along better with others. If what Leonard says is true, then Im sure that these future kids
will enjoy wearing glasses at some point in their life due to the strain computers put on our
eyes (edudemic). Study shows that In the past 30 years, the percentage of adults needing
glasses grew from 25% to 41.6% due to excessive use of computers (edudemic). This is not the
only statistic proven. Continuous use of computers can cause a multitude of repercussive
results such as sleep deprivation, addiction, brain damage, depression, and bad posture
(edudemic). As far as the digital world of socializing goes 1 in 10 parents online around the
world say their child has been cyber-bullied, resulting in 2 to 9 times more likely for children to
commit suicide (edudemic). For all you facebook junkies out there, facebook is cited as a
contributing factor in 20% of divorces. So, think twice before sitting your kid in front of a
computer screen, and if you do make sure you have set limitations for time they are on it.
Video games have become a rising factor in how children are being affected by
technology. For example, instead of playing with friends, playing a sport or instrument, or
participating in family activities would rather pursue to the next level of their game. According
to Jane McGonigal, video games can actually be good for you. McGonigal says In the
prestigious journal, Nature, that describes how 57,000 gamers with no previous background in
biochemistry participated in a 3D game called Fold-it, to "fold virtual proteins in new ways that

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could help cure cancer or prevent Alzheimer's Disease." University of Washington scientists
pitted supercomputers against these gamers and guess what: In more than half the games, the
gamers beat the supercomputers! Apparently, kids who play games develop remarkable logical
thinking, problem solving, observational, strategic, multi-tasking and visual skills. Now if
people want supercomputers for intelligence, then find other means to provide this privilege
and not use video games as a method. Ironically, Jane suggest that video games improve visual
skills, but at a cost they will eventually decrease your vision. Not only will video games effect
your eyes, but it can also create seizures, muscle pain, obesity (for those really addicted
gamers), aggressive behavior, poor grades in school, lack of vitamin D (not enough sun), sleep
deprivation , and attention problems (health central). As you can see video games can cause a
variety of harmful things, so it would be at best interest to limit your child with it too.
Not only are video games a hinder to childrens behavior, but TV violence is also another
crux on a childs moral growth. Gerard Jones; journalist, author, and former comic writer
believes that media violence may be good for a healthy child development. From Pokmon to
the rapper Eminem, pop culture icons are not simply commercial pied pipers who practice mass
hypnosis on our youth. Indeed, argues Jones, even trashy or violent entertainment plays an
essential role in the healthy development of children says Jones. According to Jones, watching
trashy and violent entertainment is good for your childs development!? It is proven that
children who do watch television with violence might become immune or numb to the
severities of violence (AACAP). Some children may even consider violence a leading solution to
resolve their future confrontations (AACAP). Professor Jib Fowles argues that, more than three
decades of social research notwithstanding, there is little actual proof of any connection

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between the violent images that appear on television and the increase in violence in American
society since the advent of TV (LA Times). In report by Brandon Centerwall, Brandon describes
the drastic effects of television on society. In one of his recent studies he provides very accurate
information on TV and the effects it had on a Canadian town whom never owned a TV before.
In 1973, a small Canadian town (called "Notel" by the investigators) acquired
television for the first time. The acquisition of television at such a late date was
due to problems with signal reception rather than any hostility toward television.
Joy et al20 investigated the impact of television on this virgin community, using as
control groups two similar communities that already had television. In a doubleblind research design, a cohort of 45 first- and second-grade students were
observed prospectively over a period of 2 years for rates of objectively measured
noxious physical aggression (e.g., hitting, shoving, and biting). Rates of physical
aggression did not change significantly among children in the two control
communities. Two years after the introduction of television, rates of physical
aggression among children in Notel had increased by 160%.
Other investigation done by Brandon Centerwall proves In a national opinion poll, 43%
of adult Americans affirm that television violence "plays a part in making America a violent
society," and an additional 37% find the thesis at least plausible. So the evidence is clear
enough to justify the statement made earlier by Mr. Jib Fowles that indeed people are affected
by television and the images it displays by a toll count. Take that Mr. Fowl.

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As an aspiring media consumer, believing all the facts does take quite a stomach if you
are not aware of all the influence media has on us and our children. We are surrounded by
many influences from the cyber-waves of the internet, to the liquidated television screen, and
God forbid the inexcusable behaviors of MIley Cyrus. With the severities of media being more
pronounced it is your duty as parents to decide what is right for your children. Dont make your
child a statistic. Media plays a significant role in childrens behavior and ethical development,
but it is not the sole influence. Just being able to understand what media can do to harm
childrens behavioral and moral growth is a step toward a greater respect for future leaders,
artist, engineers, and family members of America.