While children today are exposed to violence in a number of ways, for most children, the media, particularly television and computerized games, are the greatest source. Our children are being conditioned to think in terms of combat, to think of it as entertainment, and to accept it as normal. Repeatedly viewing television violence often causes children to experience anxiety and show increased aggressive behavior.

After all, if a television hero uses violence to reach his goal or to thwart the actions of the bad guys, why would children feel they need to reject such behavior? —Janice Cohn

The more children are exposed to violence-laden television, the more they absorb a sense of mistrust and insecurity, a sense of living in a mean and dangerous world. Evidence indicates repeated exposure to violence physically alters the brain, thereby increasing the possibility that the next generation of children will be exposed to warlike thinking without even being exposed to the media, yet the marketing of violence to children has become big business.

The sale of war toys rose by over 500% between 1986 and 90 and is still rising. The best selling toy at Christmas continues to be some kind of war toy. Violent television shows linked to war toys and licensed products create in children an enormous desire to consume. Toy manufacturers spend millions of dollars advertising toys to children in an effort to influence their consumer habits and convince them that their play requires specific action figures, weapons, and other props. This exploitation extends from the toys used in play, but also to their eating utensils, toothbrushes, clothing, and sleep comforters.

Toys linked to television programs trap children into imitating behaviors rather than using their imaginations. The images marketed to children often carry subtly violent messages. As children use their play as a way to make sense of their experience, it is understandable that play today reflects the violence they see. And because violence is so all-pervasive, it is not surprising that children are often obsessed with it.

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