Music is a way teenagers can relate to other teens without having to talk about themselves or listen to others. Teenagers also listen to the words and the message that the artist is sending through their music. Teenagers that listen to music with a violent message begin to believe the message being sent by the artist. Television makes violence and even death seem funny and unreal. Children do not learn to respect life as a result of violent television.
Television can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior.
George Gerbner, a psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania, states that by watching violence on television children tend to become less sensitive to pain and suffering of others, they may be more fearful around others, or they may even be more likely to be aggressive toward others. There are violent programs on TV that show the victim going unharmed, especially in cartoons such as South Park, Roadrunner and The Simpsons. Characters in cartoons or television shows get bowled over by another character and get back up without appearing harmed. After reviewing this, children begin to believe that violence doesn't really hurt. In addition, television shows that allow the character that commits the crime to receive no punishment teaches children that it's all right to commit a crime because nothing will be done.