Sociologist says violence on the media has adverse effects on the psyche

Leith Dunn

But does the reporting of crime contribute to the increase in violence? Do the communities in which the youth of today live also influence their character and their actions? What about video games and uncensored music? Doctor Dunn says the exposure of violence on the media has an adverse effect on the psyche of our youth.

Dr. Leith Dunn, Sociologist

“One of the big problems is that it increases the tolerance of violence; they don’t know that this is wrong. They assume that this is normal and this is not normal. It means that the aggression and violence that they see on television, they are going to learn it; they are going to practice it. And therefore, we have to ensure that what we give them, the way in which we report is responsible and does not perpetuate the cycle of violence. It damages their brains, it damages their emotions and the research shows us. They are fearful of their life; they don’t expect to live long and that is a tragedy.  We have a responsibility to report in a responsible way that that does not fuel that. We need to regulate what our children are listening to; what they are watching, the kind of video games. It speaks about parenting, it speaks about going back to the values that we are saying in our churches, in our communities; we need as a village to protect children and not allow them to become violent individuals. How we treat them, the flogging. Something we have parents who abuse their children. What you are saying is that it is okay to use violence to solve disputes. So it is not coincidental that when they go to school or when they interact with their siblings, something that could be a simple, difference of opinion ends up in a stabbing and a death. We can change that landscape. We have to change that landscape for the future.”

Tonight at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, Doctor Dunn will give a presentation to build on the theme of the impact media reporting on violence.