Anti-Bullying is Trendy?

It must be. 

MTV is now airing a show that is supposedly anti-bullying called “If you really knew me”.
MTV aligned with Challenge Day, an anti-bullying program to enter schools for a “docudrama” according to an article in USA today.

Hmm, perhaps they are feeling guilty for the ridiculous show they air called Bully Beatdown.

Perhaps, but not likely. I certainly can’t imagine MTV doing anything other than trying to make a buck. If that is the case, why the sudden interest in socially redeeming television? Don’t get me wrong, I hope that there is attention drawn to the issue of bullying, and perhaps all media is good media. I am just wary of MTV and their motives.

Apparently, the show airs today, as far as I can tell. I do not have cable. I would love to hear from anyone who watches “If you really knew me“.  What do you think?

What do you think of MTV’s foray into social media? Am I being overly skeptical?

Cruel’s not Cool

It is funny to see people squirm. It is hilarious to watch someone get hurt.

Is it?

Our culture says it is. America’s Funniest Videos is full of homemade video clips that showcase injuries and accidents. They are really funny and we should laugh, right? 

But is it really funny, or entertaining? Is it really funny to watch reality television programs, dramas, and comedies where someone gets hurt? 

In the past I would have thought that it was but I don’t any longer. Awhile back I thought wrote about watching America’s Funniest videos, and other media, and my realization our culture appears obsessed with the humor of inflicting pain.  It turns out I only referenced another seemingly benign show American Idol.  Sadly, many television shows do encourage aggression, verbal, physical or otherwise, it seems pain is ratings in prime-time. (See another post about the culture of bullying here )

Someone is working to change that culture and she has just launched an amazing site to help combat the Culture of Cruelty! Annie Fox, successful author and speaker, has always worked to help teens and tweens navigate life,  now she takes it a step further with her new anti-bullying campaign and website.

Cruel’s Not Cool should top the list of resources for anyone looking to join forces against bullying. Check it out, you will be glad you did!

You can also find her blog here or her Facebook page here.  

Oh, and did I mention she is an accomplished author? Middle School Confidential helps kids deal with life problems. Part graphic novel, and part real life skill building it comes with a free downloadable Leader’s Guide. Check it out!

Have a fantastic day and thanks for reading! Your participation counts!

Bully Beatdown

Now I do not expect to turn on the television and find programs containing redeeming social value. I don’t. We don’t even have cable anymore, which is exactly why I was unaware there was a show called Bully Beatdown on MTV.   

Even if I did have cable I would certainly never look to MTV to raise my morals, or teach me anything. Nothing of value anyway.   

I know, there are those who would say otherwise, and if I had a teenager or someone in my home who would be tempted to watch the channel, I would spend some time making myself acquainted. Instead it is just easier to remove it from our home altogether, and I am glad we have.   

Bully Beatdown is, apparently, a program dedicated to revenge. Violence, and revenge. According to the program summary available on the website a victim is able to contact the show, and a trained martial arts athlete determines whether the bully deserves a ‘beatdown’.   

 

If said bully does deserve a ‘beatdown’  there is a match set up between the bully and some fighter.  I say set up like it is scheduled, but the summary claims the bully is “ambushed” or “called out” and offered a challenge. If the bully refuses, he looks like a wimp.Ostensibly the bully learns a lesson and a public act of revenge takes place.   

Fantastic. I can only imagine what lesson this is teaching the children who watch the show. Children or adults for that matter.    

There are those that say that television is free speech and I’m inclined to agree, however, I am beginning to tire of the  programming, especially “reality’ programming that encourages violence.   

After all, if a person were to set up a match such as those described for the show(ie. ‘ambush’ someone), is it not assault?  When are we going to draw a line between entertainment and criminal behavior? How much is too much?   

What do you think of programming like Bully Beatdown? Have you seen it? Are there other similar shows? Do you have similar shows in your country?

Producers of Reality TV Encourage Aggression?

What? I do not believe it. Alright, I do, but now there is a study that appears to confirm it.
A recently released study, described in Science Daily, suggests that reality television programs are not only considerably higher in aggressive incidents than non-reality television programs, producers actually encourage them.

Many parents allow their children to watch the wildly popular American Idol, because they assume it is a harmless program where competitors sing their way into stardom. The show has been on for several years now and viewers love to hear the disapproval of host Simon Cowell, as he shares his “honest’ opinion about contestant ability and appearance. 

This study suggests that the show, while not as aggressive as another popular reality television program The Apprentice, has nearly one aggressive act per minute on average.

What does that mean? It means that what many parents think is a benign program is actually a bad example in social relations.

Research has long argued that television, particularly aggressive television, has a negative effect on children. Children, and adults, may not realize the connection but there is evidence to suggest that aggressive and violent television produces an imitative effect on humans. In a study entitled Effects of Televison Sitcom Exposure on the Accessibility of Verbally Aggressive Thoughts, by Rebecca M. Chory-Assad,  participants were exposed to sitcoms and crime dramas. The results were that participants exposed to the verbally aggressive nature of sitcoms produce higher levels of aggressive thought and responses. This was in contrast to the effects produced by crime dramas. 

The study used the definition of aggressive thought to be attacking ones person based on appearance, background, character and other similar characteristics instead of a person’s position on a topic. 

The article in Science Daily goes on to say that while reality television claims to be real, (and many viewers assume for the most part it is), producers actually encourage more aggressive results by various tactics such as pitting one contestant against another.

I do not know about you, but I have never been a fan of reality television, and now I am even less so.  If we continue to assume these programs are harmless entertainment, particularly for children, and we continue act surprised when our children are unable to interact appropriately with their peers, or with adults, we have no one to blame but ourselves. 

You can find some other articles addressing aggressive or violent television here,  here, or here.

Thanks to Penny Holguin, author of Sarah O’Hara:Gift of the Fairy Wings for sending the article from Science Daily to me.