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Expert says media violence addictive, destructive

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - For The Californian

Scholar, author says 'pull the plug' on violent imagery

MURRIETA -- The enemy is among us, and many welcome it with open arms --
even though it hinders proper brain functioning, contributes to the obesity
epidemic and, in the worst of cases, leads to senseless murders.

Media violence, the kind found in movies, television and video games, is
turning society into a "culture of violence," said Army Lt. Col. Dave
Grossman, a West Point psychology professor.

His comments were made to about 150 parents and teachers at Buchanan
Elementary School on Tuesday at an annual conference hosted by Prevent
Child Abuse Riverside County and Alternatives to Domestic Violence.

Grossman, a scholar and author, is considered an expert in the field of
human aggression and the roots of violence. His book "On Killing" was
nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Ý

His two-hour speech first focused on the 19 deadly school shootings that
have occurred in the nation over the last two decades.

"All these killers are trained on video games," he said. "They have killed
millions of electronic images. They are completely desensitized to human
pain and suffering."

He cited Indiana University research that found media violence stunts
children's brain development. Brain scans showed that minds exposed to
violent video games do not use cognitive, logical reasoning, while those
exposed to low amounts of media violence do use those functions.

"Violent video imagery exercises that which makes us animal," Grossman
said, referring to what he called the "mid-brain," which regulates fight,
flight, feeding and reproductive impulses.

All the major medical, psychiatric and pediatric associations agree, based
on thousands of studies and years of research, that media violence is
negatively affecting our culture, he said.

"All 19 school shooters dropped out of life and immersed themselves in a
culture of violence," Grossman said.

"Not every kid who plays violent video games becomes a school killer, but
all the school killers played violent video games," he said.

He said that, while the murder rate is down in America, that's because of
modern medicine.

As for the obesity epidemic, he said he believes that can be traced to
children sitting "in front of the tube" as well.

"We had Snickers and Coke in the 1950s -- what's changed? What's the new
factor?" he asked.

His answer was the rise of violent media images. He said the average child
spends 45 hours a week in front of a television or computer monitor, some
of whom are playing games such as "Grand Theft Auto," which simulates
criminal behaviors and rewards theft, burglary and murder.

"This is a sick, sick industry fighting and screaming to sell sick, sick
stuff to our kids," he said.

What's more, violence is addictive, he said.

"Violence is the nicotine in the cigarettes, the alcohol in the beer," he
said.

His advice about the solution was that parents must be alert, detect
problems and take precautions.

"Under no circumstance should a child have a television in their room,"
Grossman said. "Pull the plug. What have you got to lose?"

Shelley Vandenberge, a Riverside resident and mother of four, said she was
impressed with his speech.

"He made some very good points and some suggestions that we, as parents,
can make a difference and fight the rise of violence with our children,"
she said.

Eliza Daniely-Woolfolk, executive director of Alternatives to Domestic
Violence, said Tuesday's topic was very relevant for local parents, she
added.

"Nobody is disputing it's a problem," she said. "What they are grappling
with is how to apply it at home."Ý

She said the parents in the audience will hopefully take home lessons such
as the importance of turning off the television and computer, and becoming
more alert and involved in their children's lives.

For more information on Grossman and his studies, visit www.killology.com