Question

How has popular media (television shows) has an influence on juvenile delinquency? Does it influence decisions made by juveniles which could lead to delinquent behavior?

Answer 1

• Children begin watching television at a very early age, sometimes as early as six months, and are intense viewers by the time that they are two or three years old. In most cases the amount of televised viewing becomes greater with age and then tapers off during adolescence.The violence that is viewed is more important than the amount of television that is viewed.
• Programs especially designed for children, such as cartoons are the most violent of all programming. How many times have we all seen the Coyote try to kill the RoadRunner? GI Joe and many other programs also represent violence and the use of deadly weapons.
• It is clear that there is a considerable amount of violence on television and that this violence on TV may cause changes in attitudes, values, or behavior on children and older viewers.
• Sometimes,yes.media can influence decisions taken by juveniles,since young minds can get influenced easily and they may start connecting their situation with something they watch on television leading to behaving in the same manner. For example,if they a teenager in television show steal money from their parents room because they dont provide him/her with money and becomes succssful in that,the juvenile could also engage in such behaviour if similar situation is being faced by him.