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The American Academy of child and adolescent psychiatry reported that when children watch violent-related media, they may become numb or immune to the horror of violence, gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems, imitate the violence they observe on television; and identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimisers.

Keeping this in mind, we all thought the horror of Columbine and other campus-related violence will never affect our children because of the control of gun-licenses. But children still can find access to guns like we have seen, or use air-guns, bats, knives or other easily available devices.

What is the solution to curb growing aggressiveness in our young minds? We as parents should pay attention to the programs children watch, remove TV sets from the child’s bedroom, tell them that the character who has been perpetrated with violence, would, in real life be seriously injured or can die, that violent behaviour is not the way to resolve a problem and discuss these problems with other parents.

There should be more communication and openness between parents, children and teachers. Parents should particularly have a larger role in teaching their children and being involved with their problems. The school is also responsible.

Movies are so full of violence these days and are very easily accessible. Children are greatly influenced by movies. And most of the film stars practise violence in their real life – which children also get to know – so there is a double impact on them.

The only way to control the use of violence in children is by censorship of movies. Also, if children are afraid to tell their parents and peers about ragging or bullying, necessary steps have to be taken like having an active child counsellor in schools.

The growing violence depicted in the media is the main reason for children subscribing to the gun culture. Parents need to play a very important role in bringing up their children by inculcating the right values and controlling television viewing.

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