to shape children's thoughts and actions than do parents, teachers, or role models. In many cases, the media is a child's primary source of information about the world.
Huesmann (2007) states that exposure to various types of media violence has been found to be associated with both short- and long-term physical and mental health problems. In this regard, it is noted that research shows that the longer the exposure to media violence, the more likely it is that both children and adolescents will engage in aggressive behavior, become desensitized to violence, have high levels of fear and/or depression, and suffer from nightmares and other sleep disturbances. The younger the child, the more harmful are the effects of prolonged exposure to media violence.
Strasburger (2007) takes the position that media violence is a strong contributor to real life interpersonal violence as well as a prevalent health risk. Through exposure to media violence as children and adolescents, people become aggressive toward one another, which can lead to domestic abuse, homicide, suicide, and trauma perpetrated even on one's own children. In fact, in urban settings, violence is one of the most frequent causes of injury and death.
On the other hand, there is some reason to believe that the context of the presented violence can mitigate any harm it might cause. For example, Strasburger and Donnerstein (2000) report that the context can make the difference between whether children learn about violence or learn to be violent. If the costs of violence are also portrayed in the media, children will often come to understand that violence is to be avoided in that it causes loss, suffering, and sadness.
However, if the violence is shown simply for entertainment with no attention to its devastating consequences, then children are more likely to learn to engage in it and even to develop positive feelings about hurting others. Strasburger and Donnerste...