THE EFFECTS OF VIOLENT MOVIES ON ADOLESCENT-S IN TWO SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ZARIA

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Author

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Department of Arts

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.