The effects of media violence have been the central issue of a raging debate for many years. As with all issues, there are two stances and many points in between.
Some people feel that media violence is the down fall of our society.
These people blame media violence for portraying and even glorifying the gruesome images of violence, and believe that the violence seen in television and movies motivates imitation acts of violence. When the initial shock of the tragic shootings at Columbine High School last April wore off, many people were quick to point their finger at the media, and rock bands like Marylin Manson and Insane Clown Posse. On the opposite side of the debate are the people who believe that media violence plays no part in desensitizing and causing imitation of acts people, especially youths view. They believe that each individual is responsible for their own behavior. And that they are able to control the emotional, psychological, and physical effects of viewing repeated acts of violence.