Kids are watching the news with adults every day. They see civilians being shot in war zones. They see building razed to the ground. They also see the similar visuals on social media and video games. So are they beginning to take violence for granted? That is dangerous, as it can lay the foundations of a criminal mind set unconsciously. It can also blur the lines between reality and games. Here are a few tips to sensitize kids about violence in media.
Explain the consequences of a violent act. Kids defend violent movies and games by saying that it’s not real. Instead of banning it, explain the legal consequence of the violence they see in their favourite game in the real world. Point out it is unrealistic that people can be violent and go unscathed.
Control time spent on violent games. Hours of virtual violence can numb the brain. Ensure that they don’t get addicted, it’s anyway bad for their health.
Teach and praise peaceful conflict resolution. Most kids know that hitting someone isn't the way to resolve a disagreement, but verbal cruelty is violence too. Tell them that true heroes don’t throw punches at the drop of a hat.
Teach them the value of anger. Yes, this works. Point out that anger is precious. If they are angry over getting less chocolate in cereal, they can’t throw the bowl down, it’s simply not worthwhile. Teens buy this logic more. Use their growing self-discovery to let them know that tough people don’t blow off easily. It will make a lot of fake online violence look childish and insignificant.
Put names to figures. News shows violence form an impersonal angle. Give children more information on victims, make them human. Similarly, soldiers are not monsters. Both parties are sufferers stuck in a sad situation.
Stop kids from taking up violent social media challenges. This is a strict no-no, explanations can wait, but it’s a practice to be nipped at bud before kids harm themselves.
Get them into sports. Teens can resort to virtual violence as a form of anger management. Enrol them into sports, which will give the same heroic gratification, but be a positive activity.