Explicit music and sexual active role models
Arguably, in the society today children have been exposed to various sexual explicit materials; in addition to that, the entire environment is full of immoral acts. Music lyrics have dramatically undergone numerous changes; most of it is increasingly explicit in terms of content, that is, violence, drugs, and sex. Adolescence and children are at an extremely sensitive stage of development, in which it should be guided well.
Development of children and adolescence begin from birth. At this stage of development, it is necessary for children to grow normally, emotionally, physically and cognitively. Child developmental theories, asserts that children think differently, always struggling to gain knowledge from the environs. Therefore, the exposure to explicit music affects the way children think. Additionally, children and adolescent learn new behaviors through critical observation of the people around. This implies that, children will learn from their role models (Krish, 2006).
Children during this stage will make their choices on sexual issue from the role models and sexual explicit music. Due to curiosity, they will start practicing what they observe and hear within the environment (Singer & Singer, 2001). The exposure to explicit content poses numerous health and social issues. Through practice, children and adolescence might fall victims of early pregnancy, low self-esteem, poor cognitive development, as well as STD (sexual transmitted disease). Teens always take what they see and hear to be facts.
Violent videogames and movies
Nowadays, youths and children spent most of their time with television, computers, video games, as well as video movies. This exposure affects the development of the children and adolescent physically, socially and mentally. Violent video games and movies are easy and successfully sold to adolescents and children.
The main effect of exposing children and adolescent to violent video games and movies is that it hinders their personality development. Exposure to such materials, leads to aggressive personality behaviors such as hostility, anger, high physiological arousal, emotional disturbance, increase in aggressive cognitions well as violent and aggressive behaviors. Children and youth learn how to be violent through the moves and video games. It prepares the children to be physically and verbally aggressive (Krish, 2006).
As per developmental theories, children and teens do not differentiate between reality and fantasy. Therefore, adolescent like violent movies and video games because it is more appealing. Study shows that boys are more attracted to violent video games; this is because they are trying to develop their masculinity and define gender role. Curiosity and peer pressure are some of the reasons why children and adolescents are attracted to violent movies and video games (Singer & Singer, 2001).
Parents are the first people in the socialization process of children. Therefore, parents can help children in middle childhood and adolescence to stop violent videogames and movies. Parents can help them through, offering alternative and less violent entertainments, such as arts, and sports (Krish, 2006). Additionally, monitoring the screen, create watching and playing schedule, advice children on its effects, reward, watch, play, and talk with the child throughout the entire game, as well as encouraging group games.
References
Krish, S. (2006).Children, Adolescents and Media Violence. London: John Wiley & Sons.
Singer, J & Singer, D. (2001). Handbook of Children and the Media. New York: Oxford Press.
