Discussion To Address Violence And The Media

By Tanjua Damon

More and more it is reported that children are copying what they see on television or in the movies. With technology providing a faucet of information for children to consume and try to understand, parents also need to understand how the media affects their children and what part they can play to mitigate the effects.

Dorothy Singer, PhD, will speak to the Newtown Community on Monday, May 7, at 7 pm in the Newtown High School Lecture Hall about television and violence and how it affects young people. The free program is co-sponsored by Newtown Youth Services and the Newtown Prevention Council. 

Dr Singer is a research scientist with the Department of Psychology at Yale University, where she is also the co-director of the Yale University Family Television Research and Consultation Center.

“I really think there is a real problem,” Dr Singer said. “I think parents need to be cautious of what their children are watching.”

Do you know how to evaluate television violence? Does violence drive the story line? Does the violence portrayed include real life consequences, i.e. the “good guy” character in the story survives the episode with a few serious injuries?

These are questions that will be addressed and talked about during Dr Singer’s talk. She will also address signs that parents can look for, such as spending too much time on the Internet, withdrawing from friends, grades falling, lack of communication, that their children may be experiencing because of the interaction with violence through the media.

“I think these are going to be helpful hints parents should really be watching for,” Dr Singer said. “There really is a parental responsibility as well as an industry responsibility.”

Communication is another key for parents, according to Dr Singer.

“Keep the door open,” she said. “They don’t want to be caught by surprise.”

Dr Singer will also address bullying as well as share what research is out there and constructive measures both parents and schools can use to help influence what children see on television.

The program will begin at 7 pm, on May 7 at the Lecture Hall. To register or for more information, call NYS at 270-4335.