No. I believe it numbs adults.

I believe it has desensitzed all of us.and as each generation is shown more and more of the world horrors ,either in newsreel or films and shows. They will become more immune to the sights shown. This is to be expected. Knowledge is a good thing constant bombardment of horror, i do not believe will help any of us

It desensitized me in the tiniest bit. I can't speak for all, of course. However, I do think that it does desensitize a little bit... until they hit sudden harsh reality. For example, I watch some foreign television shows, much sadder than those where I live. When others cry at the local shows, I do not. Is that even considered the result of desensitizing? But when I face the tragedies of reality, I don't think "Well, on TV..." But that's just me =) EDIT: I'm assuming that you are talking about fictional television? If not, I agree with Firebrand.

Yes, I believe it desensitizes everyone. We live in societies where simulated violence is entertainment.

Absolutely. My parents taught me never to use bad words so I used to cringe every time I hear someone curse. Then I saw a few episodes of South Park. Now I have a filthy potty mouth (well not really but it doesn't bother me anymore)

All forms of stimulation have the capacity to desensitize all of us: just recall what happens the first time you hear a song that you like, and then what the experience is like on the 200th hearing... We're all "programmable" -- i.e. we are subject to being conditioned by our experiences. There is absolutely no escaping this basic characteristic of being human, and the more stimulation we're exposed to, the more likely we will become conditioned as a result. This "desensitizing" is the mind's way of dealing with stimulation that isn't relevant to immediate needs: by turning down the volume, we become relatively numb. This is why people often seek ever more intense forms of pleasure and thrills -- in entertainment, sex, vacations, etc. What's really needed isn't the elimination of stimulation (TV or otherwise), but an understanding of how to regain one's own sensitivity: to turn the volume back up again, to restore the ability to feel, perceive, experience, listen... choose your favorite term. If you can turn the volume back up at will, you're no longer deadened by excessive stimulation.

Yes I beleive it does, as well as music.. Everything now a days is done for shock value. Tv is bad for portreying loose morals an poor values..Kids are very receptive, and Often try to mimic what they see or hear to reproduce the shock effect, or to see for there self if its real or not.. This is why its very important for parent an adults even if your not a parent to teach our children and youth between right an wrong. And that theres consequences for there actions, we need to help them understand Facts from fiction.

Exposure to anything, over time, will desensitize any age group to some degree. that's basically just common sense there. Most people will agree that sex is a much bigger deal for a virgin than it is when they are 40, and I'm referring to the average person, not people with serious sexual and mental problems. Now I realize experience is not the only contibuting factor to that, just trying to give some relevant example. The more you are exposed to something the less sensitive you will become to it and your reactions and views can vary over time. But I think the issue has more to do with daily over-exposure from television as opposed to otherwise actual first-hand everyday experience. And I would say yes, television would probably desensitize someone, especially youth, a little more than if it was not a factor, but not significantly and very little in the real world. Kids aren't stupid, they can make the distinction between reality and fantasy. I doubt any properly parented, sound minded youth is going to see violence on tv being glamourized and think that it's ok to go outside and start shooting people. The kids that do shoot up people or hurt people have underlying issues either at home or in their brains and that's where it needs to be addressed. Taking away tv, the internet, and sticking them in bubble wrap is not going to deter violence significantly at all, if anything it would probably increase for lack of anything better to do.

Yes, especially if they watch violent or aggressive films. The horrific becomes the norm and after a while images that should shock and upset become mudane. Is it correct that they use a similar method to get soldiers to overcome their reluctance to shoot another human being.