Media has evolved greatly from the past and has become an enormous giant that is everywhere. Everyone is exposed to the media. When we think of media, we have to consider how it affects us and our behaviour, cognitive thinking and physically. Media may seem harmless but it has caused suicides, deaths and many more misfortunes all around the world. Not only does media affect adults but also children who don’t know anything about it. They do not know the concept of the corporations trying to sell their goods by creating commercials, nor do they know that video games are not real. Parents have to take extra precaution to protect their children from harmful media content. The form of media which are harmful to children include: cartoons, advertisements and video games.
Advertisements may seem harmful to children, however, they are, especially those products directed at children. Companies use, toys, games and special presents to attract the attention of the child, making their parents buy them the advertised product. For example, a children’s cereal may contain a small present included in the box to make the children buy more. Also, websites are created by the companies to advertise the cereals even more. They make online video games based on the cereal or it’s representing mascot to influence the child. If their favourite cartoon character eats those cereals, then so will the children. Toys as well are advertised in a very mischievous way. They advertise their products with a very fast dialogue and misinterpret the information presented. “Each sold separately” is usually heard at the end of the toys commercial which the children do not understand or don’t hear because it is too fast. Advertisements attract the child’s attention with cartoons and happy music but the reality is that they persuade the children to buy their products by using mischievous methods which the children are too young to understand.
Cartoons are the most violent form of media. There are more violent acts in cartoons than in adult TV shows, movies or any other media form. It is surprising since cartoons are aimed at children and should mostly contain non-violent content. Even DIsney and Looney Toones, two of America’s biggest animation industries produce violent cartoons. For example. while it may not be easy to recognise, there is violence in “Snow White” and other Disney movies. Bugs Bunny as well displays violence when he constantly gets shot with a pistol or any other dangerous item the characters may be carrying. The attention span of a child is short and violence is the solution to the companies problems. Violence keeps the children interested to watch but continuous display to violence may lead to violent behaviour in the future. Many children have imitated cartoon characters which resulted in their deaths or the deaths of others.
Video games are another violent form of media which the children consume. Especially boys, who play violent video games more frequently than girls. Shooter games are the type of games boys like to play the most as it offers online interaction with the players friends and more options. However, it is precisely these games that get the most criticism from news corporations who blame these games for mass shootings and violent acts done by children. In some cases it is true that children entered their schools with guns and began shooting at their classmates, imitating the actions of the game. The rating of the games should be followed, however, in most cases they are not as children aged 12 can play games aimed at adults, such as shooting games.
Cartoons, advertisements and video games are the most dangerous forms of media which are aimed at children. Cartoons which are specifically aimed at children, is the most violent form of media, more violent than some adult content media. Children who are not able to recognise the intentions behind set media, are not able to distinguish between reality and fantasy. They do not know that the companies are trying to promote their products with toys, games, etc. Children who are oblivious towards the intentions of the sellers are targeted due to that nature of not knowing, making their parents buy them the products to which the parents mostly comply. Media is everywhere and if children intake violent media content repeatedly, they will more likely show signs of agression and violence later in life.
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