Media has become ingrained in the daily lives of teens in so many ways, with so much access to violence and sex at younger and younger ages that serious questions are being raised; some by the teens themselves, about what effect overexposure to certain kinds of content might have on younger generations in the future.
Consider the website WorldStar Hip Hop, which features many amateur videos that showcase fights and scantily dressed women. It’s become something of a rage, but under that there is worry from parents, youth experts and even many teens. In some ways the site has replaced the outcry that was once so loud over video games like Grand Theft Auto. What about the casual sex portrayed by younger actors in TV shows that are readily available, not just on TV but through applications on mobile devices? And what about other references to, or even blatant exhibits of, violence by and against a younger crop of characters on film, in video games and even, not so subtly, snuck into cartoons? In most Nigerian TV channels and websites, teens are continually being exposed to simulated sex scenes.
The violence in children’s games, movies and TV shows is getting a bit out of hand. The violent and graphic games that teens play on videos are so vicious that some parents are beginning to get really concerned. Adding a voice of worry is Mrs Olaolu – a school principal, I think that younger people are more prone to violence now. It’s so easily accessible that people learn so much about weapons at an early age. My 7-year-old cousin plays Call of Duty and uses the terms around the family, she said. I don’t think people are giving it any thought in letting their children (have such access). It’s not the video games, it’s on every common news channel that kids can, and do, easily access. Moreen – a parent, too, sees the violence in the media, and agrees that the overexposure to sex is reaching too young an audience. I believe that the increase of violence in media could definitely impact teenagers who have low self-esteem and anger issues, and also who give into trends easily, he said.
Your brain on media From ads in magazines, to what is shown on cable TV, to song lyrics and YouTube videos, the media has a young and attentive audience. Though the effect of media consumption on teens is a hot topic for discussion, some think they’re above the influence. According to studies found in the book, Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8 to 18 Year Olds, children from age 8 to 18 spend about half an hour more on the Internet (daily) than teens from just five years ago, and time spent on social networking sites is roughly 26 minutes each day. Psychiatrist Christian Uzoma, a child specialist, added that exposure to drug culture through media is just as dangerous. Indeed, not everyone is swayed by news reports or images, as dangerous as they might seem. But people are highly impressionable during their teen years; that is known. The brain is still developing, Uzoma said.
The prefrontal cortex, which helps in weighing consequences, inhibits bad behaviour and controls intense emotions, is not fully developed until the age of 25. Other experts say that too much violence can influence certain behaviours in adolescents. When kids watch a violent thing, there’s an increase in aggressive behaviour; it almost desensitises them, said Dr. Ari Brown of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who studies the connection between the media and obesity, sleep deprivation and aggression. When kids see violent things in the video games and TV shows, it almost makes their reactions to violent events less shocking.
Some teens have said they think what they see in the media does influence how they act. I think that it can influence certain behaviours, said Opeola Samuel. Like watching WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) can influence aggression or reckless behaviour can be caused by TV shows. It likely comes as no surprise, but Evanston child therapist Jeannie Gutierrez said that good old-fashioned parental supervision is the key to protecting young people from being overexposed to sex and violence. Parents just have to be more diligent in this digital age. I think there is more access (to violence and sexual content) as kids are often left without much supervision to handle electronics and all other types of screens.
Preview of content is critical to not unintentionally exposing children to content and video that can be overwhelming and overstimulating.
