Every time you watch the news, America seems to be getting more violent.

To relieve the stress from society, some people play sports, read a novel, watch television, and engage social media.

Unfortunately there are people who use violence as a way to release stress. From harassing people to mass shootings, our nation seems to be surrounded by violence.

It’s no secret that violence sells. Our culture views blood, gore, guns and humiliation of others as a form of entertainment.

This may be seen normal, but what about to a young child?

It is reported by the “TV Turnoff Network” that by the time children reach the age of 18, they will have witnessed on average 200,000 acts of violence and over 16,000 murders due to media.

“Child Now” also reported in 2001 that the level of violence during a typical Saturday morning of cartoons, with 20-25 violent acts per hour, is higher than the level of violence during prime time shows, which have 3-5 acts per hour.

Children can’t distinguish what’s fact and fantasy. Without a guidance of a parent or role model to distinguish the difference, the children’s sense of reality is warped.

Since children imitate what they see, they might view violence as a casual occurrence and as a way of conflict resolution.

They become desensitized to violence and as time goes on they lose sympathy for their victim.

Although there is no concrete fix to stopping violence in today’s society, you can help guide others to realize that what they watch or hear in regard to violence is not always necessarily true.

You can always help out in aiding younger children in your life by explaining to them the true consequences of violence.

You can point out how unrealistic it is for people in today’s world to get away with any kind of violent behavior.

Everyone is highly stressed at one point in their lives, but you should realize that violence should never be used as a way out, instead call a friend or relative and let them know what you are dealing with.

If you feel that airing things out with a friend may not be the answer then call the US Crisis Help Line at 800-233-4357 and remain completely anonymous.

Always have an opened mind and offer a shoulder to cry on for those that need it, listening to them at their most needed time.

After all, Bruce Lee said it best, “Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”