As children we learn how to walk, talk, and engage with others from the loving tutelage of our parents and loved ones. As we grow older, the world around us assumes an often dejected responsibility to raise our children although the influence of such forces is felt deeply well into our adulthood–whether parents like it or not. Proponents of the film industry hardly think that is the case.
According to a recent study, almost 13 percent of the nation’s estimated 22 million children regularly consume graphic imagery–films included. The consequences of the underaged consumption of violent games, movies, and TV shows, has been linked to clinical depression, emotional insensitivity, and violent outbursts not typically experienced in children who are not subjected to such content. Despite a growing arsenal of research to prove this, the film industry has historically denied their role in facilitating the deterioration of a child’s mental health.
Nonetheless, recent debate concerning whether or not film ratings actually set clear advisory warnings is a developing point of contention between The Motion Picture Association and concerned families. According to a study conducted by University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, parents are calling for a new rating– “ PG-15,” in addition to amending the questionable permissive PG-13 criteria, following an increase in violent content in many contemporary “kid-friendly” films. At age 15, parents were more inclined to believe children are better able to interpret the difference between real and imagined events and to understand the consequences associated with even fictional violence.
The Motion Picture Association of America has denied commentary on the issue, silently standing behind their rating system which hasn’t changed since 1984.
This fact alone feeds into a larger and ever-present problem of mental and cognitive disorders, often induced during childhood, but are discounted because conflicting research concerning whether or not graphic media can cause teens or adults alike to act out violently. However the issue goes beyond whether a child might become influenced to harm themselves or other people–although research still hints strongly towards that possibility, after excessive gaming was famously linked to the motives of the 1999 Columbine shooters. The prevailing issue lies in the fact that such content has the ability to effectively desensitize children in ways that can prove cognitively detrimental, especially in ways that might not always point to a propensity to commit a heinous crime.
According to an EverdayHealth.com article by medical doctor Chris Iliades, visual and emotional triggers are only a few causes that can bring about severe mental disorders including Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder, which often remains dormant until triggered by some form of trauma–like repetitive violent influences or people, bullying, or sexual assault. These disorders prohibit one’s ability to rationalize clearly, to distinguish between facts and emotional biases, and to communicate effectively, among other debilitating symptoms.
In other words a child may not become inclined to murder someone after watching a James Bond movie, but might very well encourage other destructive behaviors.
What is painfully evident is that although children live amongst influences besides their parents, the very same forces that have the ability to inspire or inadvertently destroy remain unchecked.
