ABSTRACT
The
media plays a very powerful and influential role in the lives of youths
anywhere in the world and it is sometimes referred to as the â€-third
parent'. Over sixty years of study has provided evidence that exposure
to violent media leads to an increase in violence and aggression. This
is a study on exposure to film violence and its implication for moral
development. Morality represent a key human apparatus which influences
an individual's perception and acceptance of what is right or wrong.
Morality underpins the exhibited violent behaviour consequent upon
exposure to violent Tv/Film content. Morality is shaped by many factors
and the media like Tv/Film is a key factor particularly in the twenty
first century. Youths do not understand the influence of violent media
content on their moral development because to them it is just a medium
for entertainment. This study examines the potential effect of exposure
to violent films. This study utilizes the qualitative approach to
collect information from youths, media practitioner/producer,
representative of Nigeria Film and Video censor Board (N.F.V.C.B.) and
non-government organization. It was gathered from the study that
excessive viewing of violent films by youths has the potential to
influence youths to accept violence as an acceptable way of resolving
conflict especially when violence is depicted to be justified in such
films. Also the depiction of sexual violence in films may register in
the subconscious of youths and may lead to attempt to replicate such
acts in real life. The study also gathered that youths are still in
active development stage as such excessive viewing of violent films may
pervert their moral development. However, in seeking to contribute to
ways of tackling this potential effects of violent films on youths, this
study recommended that youth should be educated to avoid watching films
with graphic violence and explicit sexual content. Parents should be
aware of the potential effect of violent films on their children.
Government agencies should curb the influx of pirated Hollywood films
and sensitize youths and parents on the effect of violent films on
people. This has become urgent because youths are the future of our
nation and their moral development must be nurtured to produce leaders
and parents for a morally upright society.