Q: My fourteen-year-old wants to watch the new season of 13 Reasons Why. Although she read the book, I didn’t allow her to watch the first season, given the controversy surrounding its depiction of suicide. I’m thinking that it might be ok for her to watch now that she is in high school and because… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Media Violence
Is it okay for a 10th grade English class to read a book that portrays sexual violence?
Q: A very good English teacher at my children’s high school is having her 10th grade students read a book that’s causing quite a stir: “The House of the Spirits,” by Isabel Allende. The book contains some very graphic descriptions of violence, sex, and sexual abuse. The teacher is using the book as a way… Read more »
Never learning violence.
Dear Readers, Last week, the New York Times featured an article entitled “Unlearning Gun Violence”, which discussed the work of an epidemiologist who, after a decade of fighting TB, HIV, and cholera in Africa, returned to a life-threatening epidemic in his hometown of Chicago—violence. He uses the same techniques that worked in Africa, teaching perpetrators and… Read more »
How can I keep my kids from being frightened by scary media this Halloween?
Updated October 25, 2019 Q: My kids (10 and 7) have been invited to a number of Halloween-themed parties this year that are being held at their schools and at the homes of a few of their friends. Several of these parties will have scary movies, scary music, and in one case (the school’s) a… Read more »
The Mediatrician’s response to a recent New York Times article on Media Violence
After reading a recent article in the New York Times about the connection between media violence and aggression in real life, Dr. Michael Rich felt compelled to respond, writing the following letter to the editor: Asking whether video games “cause” violent behavior is asking the wrong question. As a parent, I constantly make risk-benefit analyses… Read more »
My 10-year-old grandson is playing M-rated video games and his parents don’t seem to mind–what can I do?
Q: My ten year old grandson is seemingly addicted to his Xbox and is allowed to play M-rated games. On weekend he spends hours on end playing. He becomes very defensive when you call him. His room has become his dungeon and his parents allow it, I guess to keep him out of their hair!… Read more »
Should we keep kids away from media after the Boston Marathon bombings?
Dear Readers, Our hearts hurt after Monday's explosions at the Boston Marathon. The pain and shock in our community is palpable, and it’s hard to know where to go from here. But there is also a remarkable upsurge of help and love that sprang out of the shadow of this event. The Center on Media… Read more »
Will playing hunting video games cause my son to be more aggressive and desensitize him to violence?
Q: Hello, I am the mother of a 10-year-old boy. We don’t allow violent video games in the house, but we do allow him to play first-person shooter hunting games (Duck Hunter, Cabela’s, Big Buck Hunter, etc.), which he loves, especially as he takes a hunting trip with his father every year. My fear is… Read more »
Research, News and Resources for Dealing With Tragedy
We at CMCH were deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. We thought it might be helpful to provide you with links to research, words of peace, and helpful resources for helping children and families cope with tragic circumstances and violent acts. CMCH's sister blog, Ask the… Read more »
It feels like 9/11 all over again. Our world has changed—forever. Now what do I do?
Q: I am the mother of a 5 year old, an 8 year old and a 12 year old. I am numb with grief, fear, and rage… yes, rage. Rage at myself and at my society, more than anything else. I am numb, but not immobile. Last night I went through all of our DVDs… Read more »