Impact of Media Violence.

When we talk about the relationship between media and society, the first striking fact we encounter is how violence portrayed in media can have a particular effect on people. Technological developments have enabled young people to access information with extraordinary ease, but it has also brought the downside of constant exposure to information with it. Unfortunately, a significant part of the media material contains elements of violence.

Keeping up to date on the news and staying informed is important, however, can come at a cost of consuming horrifying and traumatising content on a daily basis.

Though Australia has fairly strong filters and social standards as to what kind of content can and cannot be shown by news organisations, social media has circumvented a lot of those barriers and brought graphic footage and images straight to our students’ eyeballs.

Despite what our teenagers tell us, their brains are still trying to make connections and experience difficulty processing what they see. Exposure of violence in social media might leave a ‘mental imprint’ on them; particularly if they are caught unaware and feel somewhat ‘hijacked’ by the material.

Your teen might react to the exposure of media violence by feeling:

• anxious and worried
• sad and depressed
• scared
• helpless
• confused
• angry.

 Combine this with the normal ups and downs of adolescence, and your teen might be feeling like it’s all too much.

How can I help?

If you can sense that your teen seems down or that something is off, the first step is to figure out what the issue is.

• Acknowledge your teen’s feelings
• Switch off together
• Have ‘no media’ time and replace with an activity
• Discuss world news together
• Empower your teen to understand their level of control and their ability to disengage and avoid violent media content

If you would like support, please email Pascale Street (Guidance Officer) to arrange an appointment – ppier6@eq.edu.au or contact 5555 3333 and request a return phone call in relation to supporting your child.