The overstimulation of violence displayed throughout the media suggests a rising issue in today’s society; people are becoming desensitized to violence due to excessive exposure in real life and online. One of the most vulnerable groups to this is children–because their brains have yet to develop fully, it causes them to make poor decisions. Ironically, the culprits of violence are primarily adults.
Recent events in Lewiston, Maine raise concern in the amount of violence occurring daily in the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, over 560 mass shootings have occurred in the U.S. just in 2023. As with every major event, this tragedy is on almost every news site.
Not only are viewers being desensitized, but violence is being glorified. This not only suggests violence is appropriate but also that it’s an acceptable form of expressing feelings. It’s widely known that violence is in fact never appropriate even when it’s enacted on someone first. Many forms of social media such as TikTok, Instagram and twitter all enhance this glorification through uncensored photos or videos being posted with young viewers being subjected to violent scenes.
Not only is physical violence such as war and physical altercations being glorified, but also domestic violence. TikTok videos about relationships are praising traits in partners that are qualities of a toxic relationship. Although TikTok is an app for 12 year olds and older, many young children are gaining access as it grows in popularity. With such susceptible brains, new information that is blatantly incorrect is coming in and warping younger views on very serious topics, such as what a normal relationship is.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner”. Such astounding statistics show the amount of people subjected to violence from someone they trust is heartbreaking. The issue concerning this is popular media consumed by online users portrays women as sex objects and victims. Although most media concludes those committing acts of violence are in the wrong, it inadvertently glorifies violence and sexual violence.
Although just having the news on your TV can desensitize you to violence, the core issue is people. The news spreads recent information and it’s concerning the amount of violence being shown because that’s what’s happening in the world all the time. Preventing violence in the future would be difficult; however, it’s crucial for the future.
