Media Violence

After reviewing more than 1000 studies based on over 30 years of research, 6 major public health organisations, including the American Medical Association, found that 'viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases in aggressive attitudes, values and behaviour, particularly in children.'

Research and developmental theorists have proven that children who view a lot of media violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts. Viewing media violence can lead to emotional desensitisation towards violence in real life.

According to Huston 'Big world, Small screen. University of Nebraska Press (1992) Children, on average, will witness on television 200,000 acts of violence, including 40,000 murders, by the time they are eighteen. As found by Haninger and Thompson Violence in teen-related games (2008) www.kidsrisk.harvard.edu/images/MGMvideogames.pdf a study of teen-related games found that 98% involved intentional violence and 69% rewarded killing or required the player to kill in order to advance in the game.

It is a common belief held by many childhood developmental theorists and professionals that operant conditioning - the reinforcement of ideas and behaviours is likely to produce such ideas and behaviours. Behavioural science research demonstrates that playing violent video games can increase the likelihood of aggressive behaviour in children and youth.

What are your thoughts and experiences in relation to video game violence?
We would love your feedback and suggestions for further topic discussion/information.

Thank you for ensuring tomorrows children's dreams are unlimited.
Kids Unlimited Australia

Marketing without Borders

Marketing without Borders

Please click on the following link to be redirected to the original fact sheet from Commercial Free Childhood:
http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/factsheets/withoutborders.pdf


Co-Branding: Toy companies join food and media companies to create advertoys such as McDonald’s Play Doh,25


25 Hasboro.com (2008). PLAY-DOH – Mini tools McDonal’s French Fries. Retrieved August 12, 2008, from http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=browse&product_id=15785

If you were to visit your local Toys'r'us outlet today you would find McDonald playset kitchens, fast food windows and play food kits. Whilst all of these toys provide for dramatic play experiences which is positive for children's cognitive and social/emotional development were are exposing our children to another form of marketing, a companies ploy of creating brand recognition, familiarity and loyalty.

Toys that are beneficial for children in terms of dramatic play include equipment and resources that are open-ended and allow children to use their imagination. As children form an understanding of their world it is important they are given opportunities to freely explore it in a support environment. Keep in mind that children learn through play - what is your child learning right now? While it is unlikely that you will avoid your child seeing inappropriate products and product advertising it is beneficial to minimise their exposure and to educate children in an open and honest way. Remember until the age of about 8 children do not understand advertising's persuasive intent (Kunkel (2001) Children and television advertising)

Kids Unlimited Australia welcomes your feedback, questions and topic suggestions.
Thank you for ensuring tomorrow's children's dreams are unlimited.
Kids Unlimited Australia.

Sexualised Slogans on Childrens Clothing

I would appreciate thoughts and comments as a response to this news article (Click on post title - Sexualised Slogans on Children's Clothing to access news article at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,,25818079-2,00.html)
What do followers of our blog think of sexualised messages on children's clothing?

Thank you for your time and thoughts,
Kids Unlimited Australia