On April 16 Fulbright Professor Tasha Howe delivered a lecture entitled  Bang Bang, You’re Dead:  How Media Violence Affects Children’s Development and Behavior”

On April 16 Fulbright Professor Tasha Howe delivered a lecture entitled  Bang Bang, You’re Dead:  How Media Violence Affects Children’s Development and Behavior” to an audience of approximately 150 at the European University of Cyprus.  Dr. Howe described how the average child in the U.S. is exposed to 6.5 hours of screen media (TV, computer, and video games) a day, which totals three full years for a 18 year old.  The typical 17-year old will have witnessed 200,000 acts of violence, including 40,000 murders.  Since only 17% of parents check the labels of the videos children play or movies they watch, most of this violence is unfiltered. 

Dr. Howe outlined research showing that children who watch violent media or play violent video games are more likely to fight with teachers and get into physical fights at school.  The correlation between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior in children is higher than that of exposure to second hand smoking and cancer or exposure to lead in pipes and lower IQ, both of which how have legislation to protect potential victims. 

Dr. Howe outlined research showing that children who watch violent media or play violent video games are more likely to fight with teachers and get into physical fights at school

Neuroscience research teaches us that certain pathways in the brain are strengthened by exposure to violence, whereas others associated with empathy are weakened and that a developing brain is especially vulnerable during the ages of 1-5 or during adolescence, when the brain undergoes radical remodeling. Constantly aroused emotional centers in the developing brain associated with media violence lead viewers to think with their emotions rather than with logic and leads to more aggressive problem solving techniques. 

To protect children against the impact of media violence, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following: a. no exposure to screen media in the first two years of life b. no more than two hours per day for 2-18 year olds c. at least 15 minutes of face to face interaction per day between parents and children d. no viewing for children under 10 of news.  Dr. Howe also described websites parents could use which rate the level of violence in media such as the Entertainment Software Rating Board or The Movie Mom.