Book activity 

• Exercise one

CONFIRM CONTENT  

Discuss the questions, using the information in the article. Then share your answers with the class.

• According to the article, what are some ways that viewing violence can affect children?

R/= Watching violence can lead to increased aggression, i.e., fighting with their friends, brothers or sisters.

It can also influence children's attitude towards violence in the world around them and they may accept violence in society to the point of committing violent acts themselves. 

• What kinds of programs and movies are most harmful?

R/= Violent and realistic action movies or programs.

Also, violent cartoons

• According to the article, some studies show that viewing violence can have effects that last for many years. What are some of these long-term effects? 

R/= The effects are that children who watched violence at age 8 were more likely to behave aggressively at age 18, and that they were more likely to be arrested or convicted of violent crimes. 

• What bad “message” can come from violent programs and movies?

R/= The negative message it can convey is that violence breeds more violence, and that children learn to do bad things believing that it is okay to do them.

• What suggestions does the article make to help parents prevent the bad effects of violent TV programs and movies in very young children? In older children?

That parents should be more vigilant and control the television programs and movies that their children watch and with older children avoid exposure to violence altogether, limiting the number of hours they spend watching it and dialoguing with them that violence is not normal.