D. Healthy Living · Healthy Living

Real or Pretend? Violence in Shows and Games

D3.2 A1.6 A1.1About 35 minutes

Learning goals

I can tell the difference between pretend (fictional) violence in shows and games and real violence.
I can explain how shows and games can make violence look like it has no consequences.
I can describe the real consequences of hurting someone.
I can make healthy choices about what I watch and play, and talk to an adult about things that upset me.

Words to know

media
Ways of sharing information and stories, like TV, movies, video games, websites and apps.

fictional
Made up; not real.

violence
Using force to hurt someone or damage something.

consequence
What happens because of an action.

special effects
Tricks used in movies and games to make pretend things look real.

age rating
A label that tells what ages a show, movie or game is made for.

Boom! Crash! Pow!

In cartoons, a character can get flattened by a giant rock and pop right back up. In some video games, a character who gets hit just gets a new "life". That can be funny in a story. But it's not what happens in real life.

Pretend violence vs. real violence

Fictional (pretend) violence is in shows, movies, books and games. It is made up. Actors and stunt performers are not really hurt. Special effects and animation make it look real.

In real life, hurting someone has real consequences:

Bodies get hurt: bruises, broken bones, concussions. Injuries can take a long time to heal, and some don't heal.
Feelings get hurt: the person may feel scared, sad or angry for a long time. The person who hurt them may feel guilty.
Relationships get hurt: friends may not trust you.
There are rules and laws: at school there are consequences, and adults who hurt others can get in trouble with the law.

In a show or game, characters can just restart. In real life, hurting someone has real consequences for bodies, feelings, friendships, and with rules and laws.

In a cartoon or game 🎮	In real life 🌎
A character falls off a cliff and walks away.	A fall from high up can cause serious injuries.
A hero solves every problem by fighting.	People solve problems by talking, listening and getting help.
The character gets a new life or restarts the level.	There is no restart button. Real injuries need time and care to heal.
Nobody feels sad after the fight.	People who are hurt feel real feelings, and so do their families.

Shows and games can give an unrealistic (not true) view of violence.

Age ratings

Movies, shows and video games have age ratings that tell what ages they're made for. Some have violence that is not meant for children. Your family decides what is right for you. If you see something that scares or upsets you, it's okay to stop, look away and talk to a trusted adult.

Worked example

Let's think like a media detective

In a cartoon, a coyote gets hit on the head with an anvil (a big heavy piece of metal). Stars spin around his head and in the next scene he's fine.

Ask: Is this real or pretend? It's pretend, an animated cartoon.
Ask: What would happen in real life? Being hit on the head by something heavy would cause a serious injury, like a concussion or worse, and a trip to the hospital.
Ask: Why did the creators show it this way? To make it funny, not to show what really happens.

The cartoon shows no consequences, but in real life the injury would be serious.

The four media detective questions. Ask them whenever a character gets hurt in a show or a game.

Worked example

Let's choose a better way

Two friends both want the same ball. One says, "Let's fight for it, like in my game!" What's a better choice?

Real fighting hurts bodies and feelings and gets people in trouble.
Better ways: take turns, play together, use rock-paper-scissors, or ask an adult to help.

Solve it with words and fair ways, not fighting.

Hands-on activity

Media detective log

You need: a grown-up, paper, a pencil, and a show or game your family already watches or plays.

Watch or play for a short time with your grown-up.
If a character gets hurt, pause and ask the media detective questions: Is this real or pretend? What would happen in real life? How would the people feel? How else could the problem be solved?
Draw two boxes: "In the show" and "In real life". Draw or write what happened in each.
Talk about how the show made you feel.

Your turn

What does fictional mean?

Are actors really hurt in a fight scene in a movie?

Name two real consequences of hurting someone.

In a game, a character gets a new life after being hurt. Is that true in real life?

What can you do if a show scares or upsets you?

What is an age rating for?

More practice: warm-up

Real or pretend: a cartoon cat gets squished flat and pops back up.

Real or pretend: a child falls off a high wall and breaks an arm.

What do special effects do?

Is fighting a good way to solve a problem with a friend?

What does consequence mean?

More practice: on your own

Why do some shows make violence look funny or easy?

A friend wants to copy a wrestling move from a video on you. What do you say and why?

How might a person feel after being hurt by someone in real life? Name two feelings.

Name two ways to solve a problem without violence.

Why do age ratings exist?

Challenge

Explain how watching a lot of pretend violence could give someone a wrong idea about real life.

In many superhero stories the hero fights the villain. Write a new ending where the problem is solved without fighting.

Make a list of 3 questions a media detective could ask about violence in any show or game.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which is pretend violence?

What happens in real life when someone is hurt?

Why do movies use stunt performers and special effects?

What is the best way to solve a disagreement over a toy?

If a show upsets you, what can you do?

Why can media give an unrealistic view of violence?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: The Grade 3 expectation asks students to explain how the portrayal of fictional violence in various media, both on- and offline, can create an unrealistic view of consequences of real violence (D3.2).

How to help at home:

Watch and play with your child sometimes, and use the "media detective" questions in a relaxed way.
Check age ratings and reviews before choosing shows and games. Set family limits that fit your values.
Model peaceful problem-solving, and name it: "We were both upset, so we talked it through."
If your child sees something frightening (including real violence in the news), listen, reassure them about their safety, and limit repeated viewing.

Common difficulties: children may say, "It's just a game," which is true; the goal is not to ban all action stories, but to help them notice what is left out (injuries, feelings, consequences). If your child has experienced real violence, this topic may be upsetting; let the teacher know if needed.

This lesson also builds critical and creative thinking (A1.6) and identifying emotions (A1.1).