The advent of visual media is perhaps the greatest breakthrough in the history of man endeavor, enabling pictorial communication possible, with deepening effect on outsized audience, to a longer range. In the pursuit of reality that, seeing is believing, a profound imprints of media is reflected on men, crossing inter-cultural barricades, turning the cultural uniformity into reality, identical to reduction in physical and ideological distances. However, the grave socio-behavioral impact it imparts to our society can't be underestimated.

Media is undoubtedly the greatest medium of communication in our society, but the ways media portray violence affect us as a whole. It is not that its adverse effect is felt at present only, since the beginning of television broadcasting in 1946, people have been concerned about the effects of media violence on society. Akin to music's explicit lyrics and televisions crude and violent content are the cause of our behavioral degeneration.

Although the news on media is to educate us on the goings on in the world, however most of people choose not to view these daily news bulletins due to the fact that most of it concentrates on violence. Though, violence is not only limited the local news which merely exposes us to what actually takes place, but what about the many violent television programs that frequent our airwaves. "Two young males were fatally shot with multiple gun wounds to the head and chest", how many times have we all heard these words on the evening news?

With the eruption of professional wrestling, our children now view beating each other up, breaking chairs, choke holding and the various other violent gimmick used by these wrestlers as an exciting norm.
Our society is such that we tend to put on a pedestal the actors and actresses that use profanity, expose themselves and are more violent on the silver screen. Ultimately sex and violence sells, and in this society the almighty money is of utmost importance.

Parents cannot stop children from witnessing the harsh realities of society, violence, sex and crime. However, it is their role as parents to enforce a strong sense of morality. What a cruel world we live in when even the cartoons viewed by our youth are plagued with murder and violence. We should voice against the cruelties portrayed on TV and in the movies, before it becomes a true part of our society. People are not born with the apt ability to know right from wrong. A wide variety of factors determine a person's moral. Religion, culture, environment and society all play important roles in how a person will develop.

Though ultimately, it is the family and the parents in particular that instill the moral fiber of an individual. However, in this society we have witnessed many incidents where although a person may have the proper upbringing, the negative effects of TV and media, has manifest itself into violence, criminal behavior and other unacceptable conduct.

As stated previously, violent movies and TV shows produce high ratings, highly paid actors, and a forum for us to escape the so called "realities of life", with deepening notorious and worse long term consequences. It can be that after many years of producing and viewing violence, we are cultivating a society of criminal minded individuals. We can venture to say that although technology has been a positive attribute; to a certain extent it has affected society negatively.

Research on violent television and films, video games, and music reveals unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in both immediate and long-term contexts.
Short-term exposure increases the likelihood of physically and verbally aggressive behavior, aggressive thoughts, and aggressive emotions. Recent large-scale longitudinal studies provide converging evidence linking frequent exposure to violent media in childhood with aggression later in life, including physical assaults and spouse abuse.

Furthermore, many children and youth spend an immoderate amount of time consuming violent media. Although it is clear that reducing exposure to media violence will reduce aggression and violence, it is less clear what sorts of interventions will produce a reduction in exposure.

The parental-mediation interventions are likely to yield beneficial effects, but that media literacy interventions by themselves are unsuccessful.
Meeting the larger societal challenge of providing children and youth with a much healthier media diet may prove to be more difficult and costly, especially if the scientific, news, public policy, and entertainment communities fail to educate the general public about the real risks of media-violence exposure to children and youth.

A 1982 report conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health identified three major effects of seeing violence on television. These included: children becoming less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others; children becoming more fearful of the world around them; and children becoming more likely to behave aggressively or violently toward others. 

Researchers have demonstrated that very young children will imitate aggressive acts on TV in their play with peers. Before age 4, children are unable to distinguish between fact and fantasy and may view violence as an ordinary occurrence. In general, violence on television and in movies often conveys a model of conflict resolution. It is efficient, frequent, and inconsequential. Heroes are violent, and, as such, are rewarded for their behavior. They become role models for youth. It is cool to carry an automatic weapon and use it to knock off the bad guys.

The typical scenario of using violence for a righteous cause may translate in daily life into a justification for using violence to retaliate against perceived victimizers. Hence, vulnerable youth who have been victimized may be tempted to use violent means to solve problems. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, models of nonviolent conflict resolution in the media. Additionally, children who watch televised violence are desensitized to it. They may come to see violence as a fact of life and, over time, lose their ability to empathize with both the victim and the victimizer.

While violence is not new to the human race, it is an increasing problem in modern society. With greater access to firearms and explosives, the scope and efficiency of violent behavior has had serious consequences.
Parents should limit television to 1-2 hours daily and watch programs with their children, enabling them to address any objectionable material seen.

Physicians should make parents and schools media literate, meaning they should understand the risks of exposure to violence and teach children how to interpret what they see on television and in the movies, including the intent and content of commercials. In doing so, children may be increasingly able to discern which media messages are suitable.