Effects of violent films and video games on children selected villages in Giyani Municipality, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to outline the effects of violent films and video games on children in Giyani. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection was done using three methods, namely: structured questionnaires, interviews and observations. Participants for this study were sixty (60) children from four selected villages, namely Ndhambhi, Mageva , Bambeni and nwamarhanga. Twenty (20) parents from the same villages were also selected. Films and video games remain the source of entertainment for media consumers although they have effects. Such effects may be seen through long and short time exposures. There are positive and negative effects of media violence exposure. The effectiveness of effects on children may be determined by several factors such as: cognitive development of one’s mind, time spent consuming violent films and video games, age and interpretation attached to messages portrayed by the media. The findings reveal that children’s perceptions of the reality may be affected by media violence. Furthermore, parents do not always monitor what their children consume on daily basis. Repeated exposure of violence on children might result in aggressiveness and the syndrome world effects. Children should be taught about the importance of age restrictions and television guidelines.