Children and exposure to violence on tv and in movies

[Digit]

I have a question and would welcome input regarding violence in movies and its possible effect on children.

I am the grandmother of a 3 year old boy and am concerned regarding the sexual and/or violent movies he is exposed to. I am speaking of shows such as the Walking Dead, True Blood, etc. Just recently he asked if the person on TV had a boo-boo, so he IS noticing.

I realize this is a volatile subject and would prefer it not turn into a discussion regarding gun violence.

Do you watch whatever you want regardless of content when your children are in the room?

If your children are grown or even if you don’t have children, what are your thoughts on the subject?

Where do you draw the line?

If you believe it depends on the age of the child, please explain.

Thank you for your input.

[SirRevolutionary]

1. I don't think it depends on age so much

but it's more about the maturity level of each individual child according to your assessment. I would definitely not allow my kids to watch either of the shows you mentioned, at least until mid to late teen years. Call me old fashioned, but when kids are bombarded with violence, sex, and consumerism 24-7 in every venue in life, I personally feel like I have to push back on as much as possible.

[Luminous Animal]

2. Studies have shown that up to about age 7, children cannot distinguish reality and TV make believe.

My husband and I severely restricted our daughter's TV viewing and when she watched it, we always watched it with her.

[Wait Wut]

4. This ^

I wouldn't say I censored his viewing, but if I felt uncomfortable with it then we'd find something else to watch. If it was something he really wanted to see, I'd discuss any violence or questionable content with him. I honestly believe that most of the negative reactions young people have due to violence, etc. in movies, video games, shows is due to the lack of involvement of some parents. If you plop your kid in front of a TV or computer without allowing them to ask questions or give yourself the ability to voice concern, you're losing one chance to be a real influence in your child's life.

I got pretty good at those video games.

[Neoma]

10. This is VERY TRUE.

I thought the muppets were real people growing up!

[Sherman A1]

12. What?

You mean to tell me that they are not?

Next you will tell me that "Kung Fu Panda" is not a true story......

[JaneyVee]

3. I wouldn't let a 3yr old watch those shows.

[madokie]

5. As a step day I tried to set an example

whenever the boys would turn on a violent show/movie I'd simply get up and walk out. I never tried to tell them what not to watch as I didn't think that was proper as a step parent

[Brickbat]

6. I didn't watch adult TV when my kids were in the room until they were maybe 10.

This doesn't include sports, but beyond sports, we watch very little TV. There was no TV good enough that I was OK with it filtering into my kid's head while I sat looking rapt at a box before they were about 10.

Having said that, the electronic babysitter was a big help when it came to PBS stuff and videos I'd picked out. I'm not a total monster. But the idea of watching violent content with a child turned my stomach, honestly. In fact, having a child made me reconsider a lot of things, including what I chose to entertain myself.

[aikoaiko]

7. I wouldn't let my soon to be 8 year old watch gory zombie shows.

He was fine with Jurassic Park at 4 or 5, Minecraft videos at 6, but realistic looking blood and gore is too much for him.

[olddots]

8. Our grandson is 7 and grew up without broadcast/sat/cable TV

he went to movies and watched dvds on the computer but still wanted to be Darth Vader since he was 3 .Darth Vader is nothing compared to todays shock shlock crap ....

Sorry I have no constructive answer because I personally don't get off on sex mixed with blood even if it's stage blood and simu sex .

[Heather MC]

9. I have a 7 year old and an 11 year old. They like Cartoons

I love horror movies. I do not watch them in front of my boys, I don't think they are old enough to except a horror movie as fake. HOWEVER, if they was a scary movie or violent movie, my sons wanted to watch. We would watch it together. And that way whatever questions or issues they had I would be there to explain it.

[Half-Century Man]

11. My advice...

For what it's worth, I believe television exists to sell us crap we rarely need. They break up the commercials with fragments of shows to give us a chance to go pee. I base this on the fact programing has become stupider and is rife with product placement; while advertising has become more sophisticated. Not so much the content, but the planning as to when, what, and combined with which other products to have the greatest common good. The near perfect environment to raise a consumer drone.
Turn off the TV. give children books and outside playtime.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. I am with nephews and the idiot box is off. (Even if I would like to listen to Hayes)

They are playing.

I had to have the scanner on for fifteen, work...but thankfully real radio communications, even from a fire line...are truly arcane.

But...they are getting it. They were having a discussion on the F word in the car...but since I know nothing (according to their parents) due to lack of children...I just chuckled. No use in trying to educate, really...not appreciated.

On a will make you smile, we got a couple conures, I got no idea why...but damn they hated FOX and screeched whenever dad had it on...now msnbc, they love it. They ask for the TV, not kidding.

We got two left leaning birds

[Digit]

14. Looks like the concensus so far is that it is inappropriate, thank goodness

Although it is adults actually watching and the child happens to be in the room, this was the first time I had seen the little one make a comment.

I was vigilant with my own daughter and would not even let her watch Roger Rabbit back when it came out but wondered if I was now out of touch.

I now wonder how to bring up this topic to the parents.
Is there any source I can cite without seeming like a meddling grandparent?