Secure Online Families | Part 6: Violent Media
This is the 6th article in a 9-part series | Keeping our children safe is a high priority for most parents and guardians, and this increasingly includes online security.
Violent media extends beyond video games to include movies, music, etc.
Risks
“Media” includes video games, television/movies, videos (e.g., YouTube), and music. Consistent consumption of violent media carries some significant risks, including:
- Mental health deterioration, such as:
- Increased aggressiveness
- Nightmares
- Desensitization to violence
- Fear of being harmed
- Developing an addiction to video games (and other media)
- Swatting
“Swatting” is where an emergency call is placed describing a dangerous situation, with the intent to have a large police force or the SWAT team dispatched to someone else’s home
This often happens when one gamer gets upset at another player.
Swatting has led to evactuations and mistaken killings by police
While these risks extend to both youth and adults, they’re particularly acute for youth (whose brains and emotions are still developing).
Solutions
To minimize the negative effects of violent media, consider these suggestions:
Be selective in the types of media you allow into your home:
- As children get older, they can better handle more mature content
Monitor your child’s behavior and attitudes, looking for negative changes
- If you notice negative changes, consider reducing or banning violent media (even though your children will probably hate it)
Regarding Swatting, counsel your children to:
- Avoid causing confrontations with others (including trolling)
- Leave online games where they feel unsafe
- NOT disclose any personal information to strangers (on account info or in chats)
Be aware that online gaming consistently exposes players to angry people, even fully-grown, 60 year-old men.
The Series:
- Part 1: Introduction (Dec 18th)
- Part 2: Cyber Bullying (Dec 18th)
- Part 3: Social Media (Dec 26th)
- Part 4: Anonymity (Jan 2nd)
- Part 5: False Information (Jan 8th)
- Part 6: Violent Media (Jan 15th)
- Part 7: Sex/Pornography (Jan 22nd)
- Part 8: Comprehensive Solutions (Jan 29th)
- Part 9: Conclusion & Additional Resources (Feb 5th)
My Credentials
I work in InfoSec and have published a couple of academic articles while finishing my masters degree.
[This story has been adapted to article format from my site securefamilies.org]
