The Influence of Media Violence Exposure on Children: An Analytical Study of Parents Perspectives

It is the era of media, and this study investigates the influence of violent media content on children from the perspective of their parents. It was investigated how exposure to violence in television and video games influences children's behavior. It was a survey design research, and the researchers employed a survey method, collecting data from 150 mothers of children in Islamabad by using a stratified random sampling technique. The sample was divided equally between housewives and working women to ensure diverse perspectives. The Cultivation Theory was applied in this study, which posits that long-term exposure to media violence shapes viewers' perceptions of reality, making them believe the world is more violent. According to the results children who frequently watch violent content on TV programs and play violent content video games exhibit increased aggression and behavioral changes. Parents reported that their children watched violent action content on TV or in video games, leading to more aggressive interactions with their friends and family members. The findings showed that most children spend a lot of time watching television and playing video games which are fighting games that change their behavior. Parents observed the changes in their behavior which leads to aggression and violence, and this happened due to the exposure to violent media content. Overall, this research provides key findings on the role of media violence in children's behaviors and emphasizes the vital role of parental guidance in children's media usage.