In modern times, music and visual media play a significant role in the lives of young people. Especially rap music has gained great popularity among children and adolescents in recent years. However, some song lyrics contain unethical expressions, aggressive language, and the normalization of risky behaviors. At the same time, crime and mafia-themed TV series also attract the attention of young people.
In these series, violence, displays of power, and illegal actions are sometimes presented as heroism or justified behavior. As a result, the process of forming real-life behavioral criteria for young people becomes complicated, and they may receive mixed messages about social values and ethical norms.
In such cases, how can parents strike a healthy balance between restricting a child with strict prohibitions and educating them to guide them towards making the right choices? Which approach is more effective for the child's psychological development?
AzEdu.az spoke with psychologist Nizami Orucov regarding the topic.
He noted that content normalizing aggressive language and risky behaviors can reduce a child's emotional sensitivity and lead them to accept aggression as a form of self-expression:
"Since children and adolescents are in a developmental stage, the music they listen to and the content they watch directly influence their value system. Long-term and uncontrolled listening to rap music that normalizes aggressive language, unethical expressions, and risky behaviors can reduce a child's emotional sensitivity, lead them to accept aggression as a form of self-expression, and cause them to use language in a harsher style. Especially at ages where critical thinking skills are not yet fully developed, children internalize these messages without filtering them.
In such situations, strict prohibitions usually create a counter-effect; the prohibition increases interest and paves the way for the child to secretly turn to that content away from the parent. A healthier approach is education. Parents should openly discuss with their child the music they listen to and the words they hear, and together discuss the messages within them. The goal is not to tell the child "this is forbidden," but to teach them to think around the question, "What does this message mean, and what could be its consequences in real life?" This approach helps in the formation of the child's personal "internal filter"."
The glorification of violence distorts the concept of power in children: a child begins to equate respect with fear, and power with physical coercion.
"In crime and mafia-themed TV series, the glorification of violence, as well as illegal behaviors, can distort children's understanding of power and justice. In this case, a child begins to equate power with physical violence and respect with instilling fear. Especially for adolescents in search of identity, such characters can appear quite appealing.
To minimize these risks, parents should approach TV series selection in accordance with age restrictions, review the content beforehand, and, if possible, watch it together with their children. After the viewing process, it is important to initiate a conversation about the plot and characters, explaining the real-life consequences of these behaviors. When parental control is established not in the form of prohibition, but as accompaniment and guidance, it plays a healthier and more protective filtering role for the child's psychological development."
