According to a study in the January 2014 issue of Pediatrics, violent characters in movies often are portrayed engaging in multiple risky behaviors, an example that could influence susceptible youth to take similar risks. The study was entitled "Violent Film Characters' Portrayal of Alcohol, Sex, and Tobacco-Related Behaviors."
Researchers analyzed and rated content of top-grossing movies from 1985 through 2010.
Three-quarters of the movies involved a violent main character engaging in at least one other risk behavior—most often related to alcohol and/or sex.
Movies rated PG-13 and R by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) depicted these multiple risks at similar rates.
The analysis also found that the MPAA, which assigns ratings to films by considering age-appropriateness of content, allows as much violent content in PG-13 as in R-rated films.
Depictions of tobacco use decreased dramatically in these films over time, while alcohol use declined slightly.
According to the authors, the portrayal of multiple risky behaviors is concerning because violent films appeal to certain teens—particularly those who are "sensation seekers"— and behaviors modeled by these movie characters can encourage such youth to try drugs, tobacco, alcohol or sex.
Are your kids subject to these problems? The threat might be greater than you think. Join special guest, Dr. Amy Bleakley, as she explains the danger of this phenomenon.
Selected Podcast
Are Risky Behaviors in Movies Influencing Your Kids?
Featuring:
Dr. Amy Bleakley, PhD, MPH, is a senior research scientist in the Health Communication group at the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on investigating media effects on health risk behaviors and using theory to create evidence-based health interventions. Dr. Bleakley focuses on youth-related health issues, with specific content areas include sexual behavior, tobacco use, STD/HIV prevention, and obesity-related behaviors, as well as media use and exposure.
Amy Bleakley, PhD, MPH
Dr. Amy Bleakley, PhD, MPH, is a senior research scientist in the Health Communication group at the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on investigating media effects on health risk behaviors and using theory to create evidence-based health interventions. Dr. Bleakley focuses on youth-related health issues, with specific content areas include sexual behavior, tobacco use, STD/HIV prevention, and obesity-related behaviors, as well as media use and exposure.