Media Violence and School Shootings; Is There a Connection?
by Staff
April 18, 2007
DETROIT, (christiansunite.com) -- While investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the worst shooting in the nation's history, many are asking is there a connection between such senseless violence and what's being fed to us through a daily diet of violent TV programs, films, musical lyrics, and especially violent video games? Yes according to media expert, broadcast-journalist, and syndicated Christian talk show host, Teresa Tomeo.Tomeo, is the author of the new book "Noise: How Our Media Saturated Culture Dominates Lives and Dismantles Families", published by Ascension Press. Tomeo, a veteran broadcaster with 26 years of experience in both the Christian and the secular media has been writing and speaking on the topic of media influence and awareness for seven years.
"Investigators found a strong connection between violent video games and the Columbine shootings, as well as other school shootings here in the U.S. and Europe. And while law enforcement has yet to determine what motivated the gunman in the Virginia Tech massacre the evidence on the influence of media violence continues to mount. Countless organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association have been warning for years about the desensitization that takes place when one is fed a continual media diet of death and destruction," explains Tomeo.
In her new book "Noise", Tomeo outlines the most dominant forms of media in our lives and provides powerful suggestions on how families and every concerned citizen can make a difference when it comes to dealing with violence in the media and other powerful media influences.
"As concerned citizens, parents, educators, and consumers of the media we must get our media usage and that of our families under control. Otherwise the media will control us," Tomeo added.
Tomeo can give talk show hosts and reporters an analysis of the dominant media forms in our lives and how they are greatly impacting society and families. She can also share the effects of violent media on children and young adults and the proper limits parents should put in place.
