Violence in the Media Issue 12 Home Page

Media, Watch Your Language Five international students find the language used in the media objectionable. Bad Language Can Affect Young People Na-Hyun Kim from Korea Should violent lyrics in songs and crude, rude language on TV programs and movies be regulated? In my opinion, the TV and movie entertainment industry should control the amount of crude or foul language in their programs." Recently the use of crude, foul language on TV programs and in the movies has been increasing. Young children or teenagers can be affected by exposure to this bad language. In the case of very young people, they sometimes hear the words and use them even though they don't really know what they mean. For example, one day a four-year old boy I know well used bad language when he spoke to me. I was surprised, and I asked him if he knew the meanings of what he was saying. Of course, he didn't. Then when he uses these words, other children hear them and also speak out the same words. After that, I decided to carefully choose programs for my nephew. I think I have to do it because I don't want him to be negatively affected by TV. Parents and others find this language objectionable, too. In my opinion, the TV and movie entertainment industry should control the amount of crude or foul language in their programs. I think it's the best way to protect young people from being exposed to such language. Violent Lyrics Can Affect Young People's Spirits Uyen Thanh from Vietnam Music in the clubs or discotheques such as rap and rock music often contain loud lyrics, and some songs even have violent lyrics which can have a bad influence on young people. Nowadays, modern music is spreading all over the world and having a strong effect on youth. Music in the clubs or discotheques such as rap and rock music often contain loud lyrics, and some songs even have violent lyrics which can have a bad influence on young people. This kind of music affects their spirit negatively. With bad words and depressing ideas such as doomsday or the end of the world, sacrifice in love, and loss of religious belief; these songs make young people frightened and unable to control themselves. For example, you might remember that some young people killed themselves some years ago after listening to a song by Michael Jackson about doomsday. This song has an extremely unfortunate effect on some young people. They couldn't control themselves and wanted to kill themselves and others. Effects of Violent Lyrics in Music Raju Man Shrestha from Nepal Young people who listen to this kind of music hear bad words (profanity), and this affects their own language and habits." Music entertains, relaxes, or excites people. Classical music is relaxing and is good for your health. This type of music gives a mental boost and has a good effect on people, but nowadays people listen to so much music which has violent lyrics. They listen to pop, rap, and heavy metallic music, and this kind of music and many of these songs have violent lyrics. Young people who listen to this kind of music hear bad words (profanity), and this affects their own language and habits. Many young people who listen to these songs think that it is good to use the bad words and want to show off to to other people by using them. This kind of violent music can make some young people behave aggressively in society. Recently, for example in some schools, some young people killed their classmates. Police later found out they used to listen to music with violent lyrics. Violent Lyrics are a Way to Express Anger Fatou Samba from Senegal ...music has become a way for some singers to show their anger by using violent lyrics." Nowadays the world is swamped with people who say they have the right to freedom of expression. Everybody can express his or her anger however he or she wants. For example, music has become a way for some singers to show their anger by using violent lyrics. Young singers are taking this violent attitude so far that it is the principal subject in their songs Related to our daily life, these violent lyrics might be a way for people to become more aware of violence in life. On the other hand, these violent lyrics in music can be negative when young people listen to them and practice them without having any awareness of what they mean. Objectionable words in Movies and on TV Yen Ngo from Vietnam Imagine your children hearing those words; they could copy them and get used to saying them. Some movies on TV have objectionable words that have bad effects on children. Some performers say bad words. Imagine your children hearing those words; they could copy and get used to saying them. They will become impolite people, and maybe they won't be able to get along with their classmates or other people. At the same time, their minds are always thinking about the meaning of those bad words, so they'll have a bad attitude. People who have a bad attitude sometimes do bad things or act violently, and a society that has a lot of violent people can't be a stable society. More on media violence It's Time to Save Our Children The Issue of Televised Violence Everyone is Responsible What about Violence in Movies? An Endless Debate: Freedom of Expression Looking at Video Game Violence Is a Rating System Censorship? Return to: Violence in the Media | Issue 12 | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine - ©1997-2007 - Sandy and Thomas Peters - topics mag@gmail.com