Media ViolenceMedia Violence

Why are we taking this so Why are we taking this so seriously?seriously?• 48 children died in 48 children died in

schools last year.schools last year.• 9 out of 10 were 9 out of 10 were

stopped before they stopped before they were able to carry out were able to carry out the violent act.the violent act.

• Most importantly…we Most importantly…we know why this is know why this is happening happening and and we we know how to intervene.know how to intervene.

Why has the violence Why has the violence increased?increased?

The American Medical The American Medical Association, the American Association, the American Psychological Association, Psychological Association, and the American and the American Academy of Pediatrics Academy of Pediatrics have looked at 30 years of have looked at 30 years of research and agree that research and agree that media violence is a media violence is a causal factor causal factor in the in the violent behavior we are violent behavior we are seeing in our children seeing in our children today.today.

Factors in violence:Factors in violence:

1.1. PovertyPoverty

2.2. GangsGangs

3.3. DrugsDrugs

4.4. Broken familiesBroken families

5.5. Guns in kids Guns in kids handshands

6.6. Media violenceMedia violence

Prior to 25 years ago, there were Prior to 25 years ago, there were virtually virtually NO DOCUMENTED NO DOCUMENTED juvenile juvenile massacres.massacres.

• In the last 10 years In the last 10 years there have been there have been 100’s.100’s.

• Why? Why?

• More than one More than one reason!!reason!!

66

Brain Scan Research done at the Indiana University School of Medicine

Brain activity during a logical decision making activity.

77Brain activity while viewing a video game.

Brain Scan Research done at the Indiana University School of Medicine

• There is an actual There is an actual withdrawal.withdrawal.

• A tolerance to media A tolerance to media violence builds up and violence builds up and kids need more to get kids need more to get that same chemical that same chemical change in the brain.change in the brain.

• Like any other Like any other addiction, addiction, detoxification is detoxification is possible.possible.

• It takes 3-4 days.It takes 3-4 days.

It’s an addiction, but the good news is… The damage isn’t permanent!

Research shows…Research shows…• Children who have less Children who have less

screen time get better screen time get better grades in school. grades in school.

• Children who watch too Children who watch too much TV may lack social much TV may lack social skills.skills.

• Children are seduced by Children are seduced by advertising. advertising.

• Children develop feelings of Children develop feelings of inadequacy. inadequacy.

• Children who have high Children who have high screen use are more screen use are more susceptible to attention susceptible to attention deficit disorder.deficit disorder.

Benefits to Less Screen Benefits to Less Screen TimeTime

• More family timeMore family time

• More healthy life styleMore healthy life style– Get off the couch and do something.Get off the couch and do something.– Less snacking.Less snacking.

• More time for reading & school workMore time for reading & school work

• More time for social interactionsMore time for social interactions

• Less nagging for toysLess nagging for toys

Student ChallengeStudent Challenge

• To become aware of how much time To become aware of how much time they spend on screensthey spend on screens

• To become aware of what they are To become aware of what they are viewingviewing

• Think of other activities they could doThink of other activities they could do

• Learn how to budget their screen timeLearn how to budget their screen time

Teacher ChallengeTeacher Challenge

• Integrate the student challenges into Integrate the student challenges into the current state curriculum that you the current state curriculum that you are expected to teach.are expected to teach.

• Include administrators, other Include administrators, other teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, and social workers in the challenge.and social workers in the challenge.

Parent ChallengeParent Challenge

• Support your child with his/her Support your child with his/her screen awareness challengescreen awareness challenge

• Encourage your child to read, play Encourage your child to read, play ball, play games, or just imagine ball, play games, or just imagine

• Take this opportunity to spend more Take this opportunity to spend more time with your childtime with your child