There are crude words and putdowns, which are verbal violence. The statistic that jumps out at me is that only 4 percent of programs emphasize nonviolent solutions to problems. If kids watch enough of this, they get desensitized. Some video games, like Mortal Kombat, are unbelievably violent. In fact, I read about the boys accused of the various school shootings this past year, and many of them were involved in these games.
Some popular music sends terrible messages.
Significantly, Kip Kinkel, the boy in Oregon, listened to a Nirvana cd that expressed nihilistic values. Even though by all accounts he had caring parents, they probably should have paid more attention to his choices of entertainment. When a kid is 2 and starts watching Saturday morning cartoons, which have all kinds of violence in them. Parents should be planting a base of spiritual values, compassion and responsibility in a child at least by the time he is 6 or 7. Sunday school is important, because it provides education in values that can't be taught in public schools.