Watching
movies has become a common phenomenon among adolescents due to the
technological advancement of media tools which are easily accessible to
them. The challenge is that watching violent movies can have detrimental
effects on the psychological development of adolescents as well as that
of the society at large. This study therefore focused on the effects of
violent scenes in movies on adolescents in two selected schools in
Zaria, Kaduna State. The research examined varieties of movies that tend
to appeal to adolescents and how they affect their behaviours. The
study identified negative behaviours that can be associated with these
violent movies with the aim of addressing adolescents' exposure to
violent movies. Amixed-method of quantitative and qualitative research
was deployed for this study. A total of 286 copies of questionnaire were
issued and 280 copies returned from two selected Schools-Demonstration
Secondary School and Great Hallmark International School. The results of
the analysis showed that adolescents imitate violent scenes in movies
especially when such acts are glamourized with no immediate
repercussions and corresponds with Social Learning Theory which centres
on imitating acts from the media. The study also discovered that
constant viewing of violent movies by adolescents affectstheir
perceptions about the society thereby justifying the Cultivation Theory
which is anchored on the tenets of the media cultivating viewer's
perception of reality. Furthermore, findings of the study revealed that
adolescents can be desensitized to real life violence and exhibit some
negative attitudes in school and the society because of the influence of
violent movies they view. Based on the findings of the study, it was
suggested that parents should monitor what adolescents view on their
media tools by acquiring the necessary technical skills and create time
to watch movies with them as well as partake in other social activities.
Also, it was recommended that producers should not produce movies that
glamourize violence. In addition, Nigerian Film and Video Censorship
Board should adjust movie ratings to curtail access to violent movies.
It was further suggested that schoolauthorities should engage
adolescents in academic activities to keep them active. It is therefore a
fact that a well channelled development programme for adolescents using
educative movies devoid of violence will lead to greater growth in the
society which is the claim of this study.