Program On Violence

And The Media

By Tanjua Damon

Violence reached into many homes across the nation with the recent events of September 11. Newtown Youth Services along with the Newtown Prevention Council is sponsoring a workshop, “Media and Violence: The Tie that Binds” to help parents help their children understand the effects of violence on television, video, and computer games that are watched and played by children each day.

Dorothy Singer, PhD, will present the program at the Newtown High School Lecture Hall at 7 pm on Thursday, October 18. This is a free event open to the public.

Parents, are you concerned about television and young children and what kind of messages they are receiving? Do you know how to evaluate TV violence? Does violence drive the storyline? Does the violence portrayed include real life consequences, e.g. the “good guy” character in the story survives the episode with few serious injuries?

Dr Singer will address new research about the violence in video games and the effects it has on children. She will explain other national data to help parents understand studies that have been done in relation to violence and the media.

“Research shows that children affected by video games are less willing to help,” Dr Singer said. “They are much more involved with themselves than in helping others.”

The kinds of television that people watch is probably not going to change, Dr Singer said. Television producers are going to keep creating shows because people are interested in them. But parents especially can learn ways to deal with television violence so their children are less affected.

“There has to be a large indication that there is hope and human kindness,” Dr Singer said. “We know from the data it does affect some children. I think [parents] need to come and hear the data. They need to hear what’s happening around the country. They should come to see what they can do to watch TV in a constructive way.”

With all that has happened with the terrorist attacks, parents need to comfort their children and show them that they are safe, according to Dr Singer. It is important to go about a normal day.

“It is very important for parents to pay attention to the video games, movies, and computer games,” she said. “Comfort your children and go about your lives as normal. You can’t withdraw.”

Dr Singer is a research scientist in the Department of Psychology at Yale University and co-director of the Yale University Family Television Research and Consultation Center. She is a fellow of the American Psychology Association and a board member of the media division. Her research interests include early childhood development, television effects on children, and parent training. Another facet of her work deals with media literacy and educating children to be critical users of television.

Dr Singer’s professional affiliations include a consultant for various television networks, schools, publishers, and committees.

To register or for additional information about the presentation on October 18 at 7 pm at the Newtown High School Lecture Hall, call NYS at 270-4335.