Tip 9 Monitor Media Violence
Provided by the Safe Schools Unit, San Diego County Office of Education

Students:

• Understand media violence can lead to aggressive behavior in children and teens
• Get involved in activities away from violent television and video games
• Talk with your parents about the differences between fantasy and reality, and understand real-life violence has serious consequences
• Be a leader, take a stand

Parents:

• Understand the link between media violence and aggressive behavior in children:
  • Media violence affects children by increasing aggressive and anti-social behaviors
  • Media violence can increase children's fears of becoming victims
  • Media violence can desensitize a child's reaction to violence, increasing the demand for more violence
    
• Monitor and limit your child's exposure to television, music videos, video games and music
• Get your child involved in activities away from TV and video games
• Help your child distinguish between fantasy and reality, teach them real-life consequences to violence
• Watch television with your child and encourage discussion about programs, videos and music, stay involved in their world

Schools:

• Teach media literacy skills
• Tie educational programs into the curriculum to encourage healthy viewing habits
• In older children, encourage discussions about the effects of media violence and aggressive behavior