Call for law to monitor media content watched by children – Peninsula On

DOHA: Industry experts from the fields of policy, production, psychology, regulation and acting discussed how to reduce the amount of violence children are exposed to during the final industry session at the Ajyal Youth Film Festival.

The panel on ‘Media violence and our children: How much is too much” was chaired by Qatar’s Head of Theatre at the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Saad Bourschied.

A variety of questions were raised, including the need for laws and legislation, enforcement of regulation and whose responsibility it is to monitor what media content children are consuming.

Sheikha Najla bint Faisal Al Thani, Director at the ministry, discussed the increase in video game sales in the country, highlighting positive and negative effects this medium can have on the younger generation. 

However, she suggested there is still work to be done to ensure that parents choose the right games for their children to play. 

“Public workshops should be held to allow families try to identify which games are most useful for children’s development and enjoyment, and which are most damaging, by characterising them in terms of age groups.”

Actress Huda Hussain, an advocate for protecting children against violent content, said: “Children are being desensitised to violence because they are becoming more receptive to it. 

“Video games being played are no longer about winning, they’re about killing the other player and because of the amount of time children play games or watch television, they are beginning to live in isolation, spending less time together as a family.”

Dr Khalid Hamad Al Muhanadi, Psychology Consultant, agreed and said, “Emotional intelligence is important, we’re not educating our children emotionally to deal with what they learn from TV shows, they’re unable to read and write their feelings. 

“Self-censorship and self-control is the way to go, as a family you need to have control of what your children are watching in your household,” he recommended.

Venus Jennings, Programme Specialist, Unesco, highlighted research that suggested that violent media can have a different effect on children depending on their family background, where they grow and how old they are.

“Studies have shown that highly aggressive individuals are more affected by violent behaviour and family conflict has been positively associated with violent TV watching and violent electronic game play.”

Ali Al Rayes, General Manager from the GCC Joint Programme Production Institute said: “None of us have a magic wand to counter balance violence towards children, we all need to work together to fight violence, whether it is physical or psychological.”

Firdoze Bulbulia, Director, Moments Entertainment, used the African Charter on Children and Broadcasting as an example of how important it is that producers use the available guidelines and resources to help them when making children’s programming.

“Media is a very powerful tool to educate young children. We have a responsibility to help them deal with the reality of violence. The charter we created is just one tool available to programme makers, however if this just hangs on walls, or lives in books in pretty libraries, then it’s useless,” Bulbulia said.

She agreed with Al Rayes and gave the audience and industry a clear call for action.

“We now need to find friends and work together to share experience across different regions. If we can work together, we can enhance quality media content for children across the globe.”

The Peninsula

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