Action Films Promote Violence to Children

By Isabel Horn ‘26
In today's world, the media we consume shapes our moods, behaviors and mindsets in ways that most do not realize. Among this media are action movies and shows. 

 Through the use of violence, action movies include shootings, car crashes, and brutal fight scenes, portraying that aggression is the key to overcoming any obstacle, no matter how small or large. 
Since children have less life experience, they are more easily fooled by what they see on screen, using those films as a basis for how the world operates. 
Freshman Logan Gladstone said “When I was in elementary school, many kids I knew would attempt to imitate scenes from action movies, sometimes leading to injuries.”
When watching at such a young age these children begin to see these violent acts as ‘normal’, changing how they view the world. 
They may become less susceptible to the pain and suffering of others and become more fearful of the world around them. 
These children may also begin to grow up with a deformed sense of reality, because of this, children start to lash out and act up, similar to what they saw on television. 
Not only does this impact the child short term, but it also has a long-term effect on one's brain, causing this aggressive behavior to carry on throughout the entirety of their lives. 
Psychologists L. Rowell Huesmann and Leonard concluded,  “By observing these participants into adulthood, Huesmann and Eron found that the ones who’d watched a lot of TV violence when they were 8 years old were more likely to be arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts as adults.”
Specifically in children who have been diagnosed with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), the effects of these violent films are heightened. 
Children begin to show signs of aggression almost immediately, using the environment as their personal punching bag.
As explained by the American Physiological Association, "Exposure to violent media, especially when children are predisposed to aggression (such as those diagnosed with conduct disorder or other behavioral issues), increases the likelihood of them engaging in aggressive behaviors. These children are more likely to exhibit externalizing behaviors such as physical fights, aggression toward peers, and verbal outbursts, particularly in environments where they feel provoked or threatened."
Besides just their physical actions, action movies can impair one's mind, altering the way the brain functions. Children may become hyper-fixated on the negative, looking at life as though there is always an ‘enemy’ right around the corner that must be defeated.
This causes severe anxiety among children, and the easiest way to release this anxiety is through the use of anger. Instead of understanding the emotions behind the attack, children resort to violence, an easy solution to get rid of this anxiety which to them replicates anger. 
 Ultimately, one's rationale is lost, their impulsive thoughts take over. Doctor Craig A Anderson further explains “Repeated exposure to violent media can desensitize children to aggression and increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior. This shift from rational thinking to impulsive action is particularly dangerous, as children may begin to view violent responses as acceptable solutions to problems."
The violence portrayed in action movies not only desensitizes children but also shapes their perceptions of the world, teaching them to view aggression as a solution to problems, an outlook that can have serious consequences as they grow older.