Violence among young people is rapidly increasing across the globe. Teens and youth violence are the most common types of violence in almost all societies and it is expected to increase, especially in this modern era where the consumption of both social and mainstream media is increasing. However, the major concern is the influence of social media and mainstream media on children and teens violence. High school mass shooting has increased in many high schools, particularly in the USA. For instance, there have been about 188 incidents of school shootings in the USA since 2000 that have resulted in 200 deaths of innocents of students while others have attained severe injuries (Erickson 2018). Many people have accused media of fueling violence in high schools. Media has played a role in the desensitization of violence in the society through news, video games, and programs. Unfortunately, studies have shown that desensitization of violence is more likely to increase the tendency of people to act aggressively and violently due to the increased tolerance of violence. At the same time, the reward for being violent that is always portrayed in the media encouraging young people to have a positive perception of violence. Both social media and mainstream media are contributing to the increasing violence in high schools and among young people across the globe. Therefore, the primary objective of this action research paper is to explore the impact of social media and mainstream media in high school violence. High school violence is increasing in many parts of the country, and there is need to explore its causes and the best intervention to solve the problem to improve the safety of high school students and the society at large. The objective of the research paper is addressed through the systematic literature review. Finally, the findings of the research will be disseminated to relevant individuals, organizations, and authorities to take appropriate action to either eliminate or significantly reduce high school violence in the society.
Literature Review
The consumption of media by school-aged children has significantly increased over the last decade, especially after the invention of the internet and cell phones. According to study that was conducted by Huesmann (2007), children in the USA spend about three to four hours a day watching television. Unfortunately, about 60% of TV programs that are viewed by children contain some violence while 40% are associated with extreme violence. Apart from watching TV, playing video games is also increasingly becoming popular among many school-going children, especially in urban areas. It is estimated that 83% of homes in the USA have video games for children (Huesmann, 2007). Consequently, many children spend about 49 minutes playing video games. Video games are mainly popular among children who are aged between 8 and 18 years who are most likely to be in high schools. Unfortunately, about 94% of video games are rated as inappropriate for children mainly because they contain high levels of violence. Therefore, the research by Huesmann (2007) indicates that the consumption of mainstream media such as TV and video games has significantly increased and the majority of programs consumed by teens contain a high level of violence.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The survey results that were released by the Pew Research Center in 2015 indicate the use of social media among children and teens has significantly increased over the last few years (Lenhart, 2015). 92% of the teens who participated in the survey indicated that they go online on a daily basis while 24% agreed that they continuously use the internet (Lenhart, 2015). Interestingly, the same survey indicated that African American and Hispanic teens use the internet more frequently than their white counterparts. For instance, 34% of African American teens reported that they go to the internet almost constantly compared to 19% of white teens (Lenhart, 2015). Besides, the survey by Pew Research Center revealed that Facebook is the most popular social media platform among teens aged between 13 and 17 years, as 71% of them frequently use the site (Lenhart, 2015). Other social media platforms that are popular among teens in clued Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. However, more girls than boys use social media, even though male teens are more likely to play video games instead of using social media networks.
According to Bercedo et al . (2005), teens spend about 41 minutes on the internet during weekdays and 65 minutes on weekends on a daily basis. About 87.2 of girls have mobiles phones that they use to go to the internet compared to 82.4% of boys. Many teenagers have their first cell phones at an average age of 13 years. Like the findings of the survey that was conducted by the Pew Research Center, Bercedo et al . (2005) also found that boys prefer to download video games while girls like chatting through the use o the internet. Specifically, Bercedo et al . (2005) revealed that boys prefer video games that involve shooting and fighting contrary to girls who are attracted to adventure video games. As a result, studies show that boys are more likely to consume violent media programs compared to girls, even though they both use a lot of the internet and various social media platforms.
However, the study that was conducted by Vahlberg (2010) found that the use of mainstream media, especially print media is significantly declining among teens. The study found the proportion of modern teens who are reading newspapers has dropped from 42% in 1999 to 23% in 2009, which is a significant decline. On the contrary, the same study revealed that the use of the internet has exploded among modern teens, mainly due to the massive use of smartphones that enable them to go online conveniently. TV remains the most popular mainstream media that is used by teens. Vahlberg (2010) reveals that the popularity of mainstream media among teens is declining while the use of the internet and social media is rapidly growing. Hence, social media has more influence on modern teens compared to the mainstream media.
Many theories explain the influence of media on audience, especially children and teens. The first theory is known as is known as the cultivation theory that is based on the assumption that media has significant influence and impact on the audience who unknowingly absorb and internalize main messages, symbols, and images that are conveyed by the media. The theory assumed that long exposure to media such as TV is likely to create common belief and behavior among viewers. The second theory is called play theory that is based on the assumption that media serve people as a play experience, as many people consume media for pleasure instead of gaining information. Proponents of game theory like William Stephenson argue that media are used as buffers against conditions that are to lead to anxiety (Mehraj, Bhat & Mehraj, 2014).
Social learning theory is the major theory that is used by many researchers to explain the influence of media on audience or viewers. It is also one of the most common theories in the mass communication. The theory assumes that media play an important role in educating the audience about the world (Fitzpatrick et al ., 2016). Specifically, social learning theory explains how human beings can learn from observation. Proponents of the theory argue that observing an act of violence is likely to affect the cognitive development, including how to behave. The theory explains that the process of observational learning, which takes place when a person is exposed to media programs, is mainly facilitated by two main factors. The first factor is the attractiveness of the protagonists who commit violence against others. Secondly, Fitzpatrick et al . (2016) argue that there is a high level of psychological arousal as well as stress that takes place when a child is exposed to violent media, which increase the risks of paying close attention and imitation. Also, social learning theory assumes that desensitization of violence by the media for an extended period can lead to decreased sensitivity for violence act and aggression, encouraging children to engage in violent acts and behaviors (Fitzpatrick et al ., 2016). Children who are exposed to violent media programs can learn and finally become excessively aggressive and violent. Therefore, the influence of media on children and teens can best be understood through the use of social learning theory.
Many studies have consistently found that media encourage violence among school-going children by encouraging aggressive behaviors. A study that was conducted by Huesmann (2007) found that playing video games is highly linked to increased aggressive behaviors among teens. On the contrary, the same study revealed that playing violent video games leads to a decrease in desirable behaviors among children and teens. At the same time, viewing violent TV programs and films motivate teens to develop excessive aggressive behaviors, making them engage in violent activities. High school children who frequently watch violent media programs tend to develop aggressive behaviors compared to their counterparts who watch non-violent behaviors. Besides, according to Huesmann (2007), high school students who watch violent media programs are likely to develop the beliefs that embrace violence and excessive aggressive behaviors.
Fitzpatrick et al . (2016) also found that violent media programs are likely to result in aggressive behaviors among teens. Specifically, the researchers found that boys who watch violent media programs are likely to show physical aggression when playing with others. Fitzpatrick et al. (2016) further found that children and teens aged between 8 and 17 who watch violent TV programs are more likely to develop antisocial behaviors compared to their counterparts who are exposed to non-violent TV programs within a given period. All the scientific studies that were reviewed by Fitzpatrick et al . (2016) found that violent media programs increase aggression, especially among young people.
Spears and Seydegart (2004) argue that imitation of violent media programs is the main reasons why there is a high level of violence in many schools across the world. They found that children and teens are likely to imitate violent acts that they watch on media, primarily after they have developed aggressive behaviors through learning. Spears and Seydegart (2004) explains that young people who experience fear when they are watching violent media programs are likely to create the perception that violence is bad for the society while those who are excited when they watch media violence are likely to engage in violent activities. Unfortunately, young people look for pleasure and entertainment in media, which explains why they develop aggressive behaviors and they embrace violence. Mainly, boys get a lot of excitement when they are watching violent media programs, and they are more likely to be violent in schools compared to their female counterparts.
Lan, Abdullah and Roslan (2010) also conducted a study to determine the impact of TV and video game on the aggressive behaviors of children and adolescents. The study revealed that watching violent TV programs significant increases aggressive behaviors among children and adolescents, especially during their interaction with others. Besides, they found that exposure to TV violence is enhancing students’ aggressive behaviors towards teachers and their peers in the school setting. Television aggression is associated with aggressive behaviors among adolescent and children, which leads to violence in later life and in adulthood. Lan, Abdullah and Roslan (2010) also found that video game violence increases aggressive behavior among children and adolescent just like television violence. Exposure to video game violence changes the cognitive and motivational experiences of young people, resulting in aggressive and violent behaviors.
Also, Fitzpatrick et al . (2016) maintain that violent media programs negative affect self-regulation of young people, especially children and teens. Their analysis revealed that children and teens who watch fast-paced media programs that have violent contents have a problem with self-regulation and they are likely to show a low level of concentration as well as sustained attention. Lack of self-regulation may be one of the primary reasons why many children in high school engage in aggressive and violent behaviors, and they can end up hurting their peers (Fitzpatrick et al., 2016). Teens who are not able to control their emotions can end up showing aggressive and violent behavior towards their colleagues in high school. Therefore, violent media leads to the development of aggressive behaviors among school-going children and teens, which may lead to increased violence in the society. Exposure to video game violence leads to increased acceptance of physical abuse in real-life situations such as school setting.
According to Tripathi (2017), social media has encouraged virtual violence in schools. About 47% of participants who were interviewed by Tripathi (2017) agreed that they had experienced some form of violence through different social media platforms. The forms of violence that are common on social media include cyberbullying, sending violent text and images as well as violent videos, and sharing of private or confidential information. Adolescents and teens find it easier and convenient to engage in social media violence because of the perceived long distance while at the same time social media platforms where students can engage in anonymous violence. Young people are likely to engage in social media violence because it does not result in immediate consequences. Therefore, young people are using are using social media as a tool for virtual violence.
Tripathi (2017) also found that social media is used by extremists and terrorist organizations to motivate and encourage young people to engage in violent activities. Terrorist organizations such as ISIS are using social media platforms such as Facebook to recruit young people and to implement their plans and strategies. For instance, Twitter was forced to suspend about 360,000 accounts that are used to propagate terrorism and violence. As a result, school-going children can learn about violence through various social media platforms. A mass shooting is one of the acts that are associated with terrorism, and it has been increasing in many high schools in the USA and some of the developed countries in the world. Hence, it is possible that students learn about a mass shooting through social media platforms, including some of the mainstream media.
Therefore, the consumption of media by young people is rapidly increasing, especially in this era where almost everything can be found on the internet. Many young people spend a significant percentage of their time on both social and mainstream media. Even though media some positive influence on young people, they are accused of promoting violence in high schools. Violence media lead to the development of aggressive behaviors in young people, which result in real violent activities in a school setting and the larger society. There is enough literature on the impact of media on violence that can be used to come up with effective interventions to reduce violence in high schools.
Summary and Analysis of the Results
First, a literature review has revealed that the consumption of both social and mainstream media is high among young people, especially adolescents and teens. Teens and adolescents spend between 3 and 4 hours daily watching TV programs. At the same time, they spend about 49 minutes playing video games. Besides, adolescent and teens spend about one hour in the surfing through the internet daily. Therefore, teens and adolescent spend a lot of time on both social and mainstream media.
Secondly, the review found that mainstream media and video gaming contain a lot of violent programs. 60% of TV programs contain some form of violence while 40% contain extreme violence (Huesmann, 2007). Many video games that are played by boys are mainly characterized by a lot of gun shooting and physical fighting. Boys are likely to play a violent video game while girls are attracted to adventure-related video games. Video games are increasingly becoming one of the most popular media, as about 83% of homes have video games for children and adolescents (Huesmann, 2007).
Thirdly, it was found that many young people use various social media platforms to engage in various online activities. However, Facebook remains to be the most popular social media among teens followed by Instagram and Twitter. Easy access to the internet and smartphones is one of the main factors that is facilitative the massive use of the web and various social media platforms. Nonetheless, it was found that the use of print media is rapidly losing popularity among modern young people who are mostly techno-savvy. Teens and adolescents are no longer attracted to print newspapers and magazines.
Fourthly, the review of the literature and scientific studies revealed that the main impact of media social and mainstream media on high school violence is increased level of aggressive and violent behaviors among students. Media such as TV and video games contain a lot of violent programs that lead to aggression among young people. Children and adolescent can learn aggressive behavior through the media, which they imitate and implement in real life situations such as school settings. Therefore, media, especially mainstream media is contributing to the aggressive and violent behaviors among students, which may end up leading to high school violence. Additionally, desensitization of violence by media is making many young people accept violent behaviors as a norm in the society. Besides, media negatively affects the self-regulation of young people, making it impossible for them to control their emotions.
Finally, the review of existing literature revealed that young people mainly use social media as a tool for violence. Many young people use social media to engage in virtual violence, especially cyberbullying. Young people prefer social media violence because it provides the best opportunity to hide identity. Teens and youth also use social media violence because it is not associated with immediate consequences. Children and adolescent also directly learn about violent activities through social media. It was found that extremists and terrorists use social media to propagate violence among young people. As a result, many young people are likely to implement terrorist and extremist activities in schools. Social media, unlike mainstream media, directly contributes to violence in high schools. The problem is expected to continue, mainly due to the massive use of social media by young people.
Reporting the Results
The result of this study should mainly be shared with teachers and parents. However, to effectively share the result, reporting of results should take place in an environment that is not intimidating to both teachers and parents (Davis, 2007). Therefore, the results will be shared in the departmental setting and teacher conferences within the school. Departments will be informed and encouraged to organize internal meetings where they will comprehensively share and discuss the results. The departmental heads will be required to organize a meeting mainly aimed at addressing the impact of social and mainstream media on high school violence, mostly based on the findings. Teachers' conference, on the other hand, will be used to share the findings with the whole schools with the aim of coming up with appropriate action to address the problem of violence influenced by media.
Apart from teachers, parents are the major stakeholders in addressing the problem of high school violence, and they should also be parts of the discussions. Therefore, a meeting involving parents and teachers will be organized to share and discuss the results. Parents should be informed of the dangers of both social and mainstream media, especially in influencing anti-social behaviors such as violence. It is parents can monitor how their children use various types of media at home when they are not in school. Also, to reach the wider audience, the results should be published in appropriate and relevant journals and media such as newspapers and magazines (Davis, 2007). The results should reach a wider audience as possible to educate the public and sensitizing them on some of the dangers of social media.
Taking Informed Action
Some interventions that have been used to prevent high school violence have not been effective. Traditionally, a punishment was mainly used to deter students from engaging in violent activities in school, especially against their colleagues (Volungis & Goodman, 2017). Other environmental modification strategies such as the use of security guards and video cameras have also been in ineffective in reducing the increasing cases of high school violence. Therefore, a new intervention is required to reduce violence in high schools.
Therefore, one of the best actions to prevent school violence is to incorporate violence-related concepts in the school curriculum. Specifically, students should be taught how to responsibly use both social mainstream media to avoid developing aggressive behaviors that can lead to violent activities. Students should be made to internalize that excessive and inappropriate use of media can lead to aggressive behaviors (Volungis & Goodman, 2017). At the same time, they should be formally taught about the dangers of violence. Teaching about violence in school should incorporate the use of practical and real-life examples such as mass shooting incidents. The intervention can lead to a long-term solution to the problem of high school violence that is affecting the society at large.
Conclusion
The fact that the USA has experienced 188 school shooting incidence is a clear indication that high school violence is increasingly becoming rampant. Even though some factors are associated with high school violence in the country, both social and mainstream media play an essential role in influencing aggressive behaviors among young people in the society. The excessive consumption of media contents by children and adolescents have made them develop aggressive and violent behaviors, leading to violence in schools. Television, video games, and social media have led to aggressive behaviors among young people because they contain a lot of violent contents. Integrating violent-related concepts in the school curriculums can help in addressing high school violence.
References
Bercedo, A. S., Redondo, C. F., Pelayo, R. A., Gómez, Z. D. R., Hernández, M. H., & Cadenas, N. G. (2005, December). Mass media consumption in adolescence. Anales de pediatria, 63(6), 516-525.
Davis, J. M. (2007). Rethinking the architecture: An action researcher's resolution to writing and presenting their thesis. Action Research , 5 (2), 181-198.
Erickson, A. (2018, February 15). Commentary: This is how common school shootings are in America. Chicago Tribune . Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-America-school-shootings-20180215-story.html
Fitzpatrick, C., Oghia, M. J., Melki, J., & Pagani, L. S. (2016). Early childhood exposure to media violence: What parents and policymakers ought to know. South African Journal of Childhood Education , 6 (1), 1-6.
Huesmann, L. R. (2007). The impact of electronic media violence: Scientific theory and research. Journal of Adolescent Health , 41 (6), S6-S13.
Lan, K. L., Abdullah, M. C., & Roslan, S. (2010). Understanding media violence and the development of aggressive behaviour in school children. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences , 7 , 522-527.
Lenhart, A. (2015). Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/
Mehraj, H. K., Bhat, A. N., & Mehraj, H. R. (2014). Impacts of media on society: A sociological perspective. Inter J Humanit Soc Sci Invent , 3 (6), 56-64.
Spears, G., & Seydegart, K. (2004). Kids’ Views on Violence in the Media. The Canadian child and adolescent psychiatry review , 13 (1), 7.
Tripathi, V. (2017). Youth Violence and Social Media. Journal of Social Sciences , 52 (1-3), 1-7.
Vahlberg, V. (2010). A survey of three studies about youth media usage. Retrieved from https://www.americanpressinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/NIE_Fitting_into_their_lives.pdf
Volungis, A. M., & Goodman, K. (2017). School violence prevention: Teachers establishing relationships with students using counselling strategies. SAGE Open , 7 (1).
