Studies show that the content we watch on television, computer or mobile phone leave a deep impact on our minds. The influence is significantly stronger in children and adolescents. The kind of content we watch and the time spent on screens decide in what manner it’s going to affect us. I’m particularly worried about the increased violence in movies, cartoons and video games. Children as young as 3 years can access the Internet. They are exposed to content not suitable for young minds. Children can’t distinguish between the real-life and the screen experience. The violence they watch in video games or the movies increases aggressive behaviour, angry feelings and decreases empathy drastically.
What Harm can TV, Movies and Video Games do to Children and adolescents
* Researchers say that 37% of media aimed at children have scenes of physical or verbal violence. What’s more, 90% of movies, 68% of video games, 60% of TV shows, and 15% of music videos have some form of violence.
* It is around 3-4 years of age that children begin to develop perceptions and expectations about the world around them. The screen violence may harm their mental health by making them believe that the world is a more dangerous place than it actually is.
* There are many prominent risk factors related to watching violence on screen. Some are short-term risks like trying to hit siblings, friends or other family members, scary nightmares or other forms of antisocial behaviour. Long-term risks include being less sensitive to the sufferings of others, criminal tendencies and negative thoughts.
* Exposing too early to violence can ruin a person’s life completely. Children show signs of inattentiveness and emotional disturbance. It is scientifically proven that early exposure to violence makes children more anti-social. They lie unabashedly, don’t feel the pain of others and manipulate things.
Can We Avoid Screen Violence?
* I know there are many votes in the favour of video games; they increase eye-hand coordination, sharpen minds, gives the child the courage to face the contemporary world. I agree to some extent but not at the cost of assembling the generation of anti-socials whose tendency is to break the rules.
* There’s a suggestion for parents. When the child is young, you have the power to mould the direction of his life. Give him better options to enjoy childhood. Some good alternatives are to play outdoors, make real friends or interact with relatives. Believe me, old values still exist and are helping rear better lives.
PANORAMIC RIPPLES 
I agree dear that parents can give a right direction to their kids when they are young. screen violence can impact their personality development negatively. and we should monitor it carefully. answer of quiz is kuch kuch hota hai.
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I absolutely agree. My 2-year-old grandson was watching Youtube…u may think it’s safe. For some time regular rhymes were playing but after some time when I checked they were violent songs and rhymes which were so scary. After that we never let them watch youtube
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I would never vote for video games. All the things you listed can be learnt from actual games. So fully support you that screen time has to be minimal specially after online classes
Deepika Sharma
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The violence in TV and movies is such that even adults will shudder. I try to filter content my kids can watch and try to keep close. Video games, I don’t allow. As it is they’re spending too much time on screens everyday.
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Very legit topic today Aditi, as a parent of a tween I feel so helpless in this. I never gave him video games but the lockdown has drastically increased his screen time, I still try to choose Netflix content very judicially.
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The kind of stuff they get exposed to has certainly a profound effect on the minds of kids. Consciously or unconsciously they tend to pick a similar kind of behavior. Of course, playing outdoor with friends, away from the virtual world, is one of the best options.
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Absolute fact! even toddlers sometimes playfully imitate the fight they see on tv
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Watching any thing violent is not good for kid’s mental health
As a parent we need to be very vigilant what kids are exposed to. During pandemic it has become even more difficult but still keeping them engaged in something more creative is our responsibility.
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Absolutely agree, screen viewing has a deeper impact on kids’ minds. I always avoid violent movies and never let my kids also watch them. video games are also a big culprit as they only teach fighting and violence. I don’t have a single game on my mobile, my kids do crin but then as a parent, I need to explain to them its disadvantages. Lockdown certainly affected the screen timings to maximum but we still can try to find time for more creative outlets.
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Absolutely agree with you Aditi. Why talk about the screens, movies and videos. The gentleman’s cricket game is teaching violence to kids in the name of IPL. My son started hitting the bat, throwing bat, when he gets out, which can either harm him or harm others. All this kind of stuff has to be cut completely.
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Screen violence definitely impacts mental health of young children and hence must always be approved by parents before they watch
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Kids are so much exposed to screen, it’s tough to manage sometimes.
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That’s the real issue!
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Every parent is going through this plight and looking for the best solution to keep their kids away from screen most of the time, if not at least set the standard time. As a parent, This has been the biggest challenge for me due to the lack of outside playing activity.
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I absolutely agree that screen violence may harm their mental health by making them believe that the world is a more dangerous place than it actually is. I always watch with my kid on tv so that i know everything .
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