Tips for Families in Dealing with Media Violence

On Nov. 11, 2013, a new study released by researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Ohio State University found that “that gun violence in PG-13–rated films has more than tripled since 1985….Since 2009, PG-13–rated films have contained as much or more violence as R-rated films films.” LET ME REPEAT THAT: "Since 2009, PG-13–rated films have contained AS MUCH OR MORE violence as R-rated films films." Something is wrong with this picture. Parents, be very aware of TV and movie ratings! As we have shown in research directly after the Newtown tragedy and as PTC President Tim Winter has stated: “the entertainment industry’s concern about shielding children from graphic media violence begins and ends at its wallet.” TIPS FOR FAMILIES Take a look at this post by the Huffington Post’s blogger Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE, FAAP who offers some tips for families about violence and the media. Wendy is a renowned pediatrician, on the Board of Advisor to Parents Magazine, and an executive committee member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Communications and Media. (Follow Wendy on Twitter) The increasing amount of violence in PG-13 movies makes it more important to look at current and past studies on media violence. Over the last 50 years, more than 3,000 studies that have shown a direct relationship between exposure to violent media and aggression. See studies on media violence. Read the PG-13 and violence full abstract (Gun Violence Trends in Movies) from the Pediatrics Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.