When the movie industry first started, the violence that was shown was minimal and unrealistic. However, in more recent years explicit violence has become quite common and graphic. There’s been a progression from horse chases and fist fights to melting murdered characters in acid. Films and TV shows have increased the displays of violence that appear to be justified. This kind of aggression affects teenage brains in a distinctive way that condones and encourages increased violence.
The world is scarier and more violent than it was at the dawn of motion pictures. Teens, in particular, are often concerned about school shootings. This should be enough to give directors reason to ease up on their level and frequency of violence in shows for young adults. Youth are living in uncertain times when social media is showing them all of the scary things that happen around the world in real-time.
According to NBC News, movie rating systems have also evolved over time, with PG-13 movies allowing less explicit content and banning “bad” words. However, TV shows are now loosening their requirements, allowing occasional vulgarity in PG movies due to increased internet exposure for kids. This has led to increased violence on the screen and a shift in cultural expectations for graphic content. As streaming services release more content, these requirements are even looser, further desensitizing young people.
Mckenna Brown (9) believes that the increase in technology has desensitized kids, causing them to grow up faster due to the consistent availability of global information.
“I think the violence has increased because of new technology advancements. I think because kids are on screens more that they don’t get as scared because this generation is growing up faster than the previous ones because of technology,” Brown said.
Jennifer Barnica (11) believes that movies have started taking violence too far because of the dangers and access to the horrible news all over the world. She thinks that movies need to take a break from the realistic violence.
“I think violence in movies has increased. I think they have taken violence too far in movies today because recently there has been too much death in movies and it has been too realistic. The kids today don’t care about the violence because they are on TikTok all the time, so they are desensitized,” Barnica said.
There have been many studies on how exposure to violence in movies and video games affects the brains of younger kids. According to AACAP.org exposure to media violence has been shown to increase aggression, desensitization and a lack of sympathy for victims of violence, particularly in children.
Finn McEnroe (9) has an opposing view on the increase of violence in movies, he thinks that they have actually become less violent compared to previous years.
“I believe that movies nowadays have become less intense and violent and focused on other diverse aspects of our world that aren’t as entertaining,” McEnroe said.
The data from streaming services contradicts his opinion. Gratuitous violence is extremely common and accessible to young viewers, and it is having a negative long-term impact.
