Ill stress again that violent media is a major problem only when its abused (used as entertainment for children) and this is why I too do not support any bans or censorship. We dont ban lighters just because some dont understand children should not play with it and likewise media violence shouldnt be a problem if it was enjoyed by people old enough to absorb it without getting quite literally brain damaged. Children under 7 years of age is the most vulnerable group, brain scans can actually determine approximately how much TV a child has been watching because their brain develops differently depending on how much TV they are watching. Quite interesting, I am surprised at how society can allow it and it can only make me wonder what else we are accepting without concern.
The kind of glorified violence you describe is also the one with the most harmful potential. When characters use violence to solve their problems and are rewarded for it while hiding the negative consequences and suffering then it teaches that violence is a good way to solve problems. Becoming angry and using violence is in most cases stupid because you will later regret it and pay the price. My view of violence and anger boils down to “hospital or jail”. I know of one that claimed to have acted in self defense, “I never attack anyone I only defend myself”, however he ended up in jail because the court didnt think it was self defense as he never attempted to escape or away.
There three main harmful effects of violent media is
Desensitation – people care less about violence, also become less likely to intervene
Increased fear – people become more afraid and careful, more likely to feel threatened
Increased aggression – in particular young children can become more aggressive. In fact there is a 10-15year “lag” time between the introduction of TV to a society and raised violence/aggression levels as thats the time it takes for the most vulnerable to grow up and commit crimes.
Censorship would work and it would make a dramatic impact on violence levels in the society. The homicide rate has been stable for decades despite advances in medical threatment, the homicide attempt rate has been increasing very rapidly but fewer and fewer homicides are succesful (more lives are saved). The homicide rate would go down a lot.
Still I dont think censorship is the right way to approach the problem either, society is full of dangerous things and we cant make it safe. What we can do is become aware of the dangers so we can understand how to avoid its risks and harmful effects.
