Violence in the Media is a Threat, but Censorship Is UnnecessaryAccording to John Davidson's essay Menace to Society, "three-quarters of Americans surveyed [are] convinced that films, television and music stimulate young people to violence." Although public opinion is strong, research findings are divided on the effects of media violence on this country's youth. Davidson wrote that most experts agree that there is some correlation between violence in the media and actual violent acts, but the results are contradictory, and researchers debate how to measure the effects (271). Furthermore, Davidson is not convinced that the media is the only problem with violence, or even a primary problem. He points out that other factors, such as “poverty, easy accessibility to guns, domestic abuse [and] social instability” may have a greater impact on children's violence than the influence of the media (277). Although other forces may be stronger, media violence has some negative effects on members of society. If senseless violence on television and in movies had no effect, it wouldn't be such a hotly debated topic. What types of effects and who they affect are the most discussed aspects of the discussion. One of the recent acts of violence committed by minors was the massacre at Columbine High School. It was later revealed that the killers had listened to Marilyn Manson, played violent video games (such as Doom), and watched The Basketball Diaries in which the main character massacred his classmates and teacher in a manner very similar to the way in followed the Columbine kids. he did (Torr 14). While the Columbine murders were horrific acts and were likely inspired by violent forms of media, they are atypical of the middle of the paper. New York: Rosen.1998.Gibbs, Nancy. "What children (really) need." Now April 30th. 2001: 48-49.Maschi, Mike. “Why demonize healthy teen culture.” Los Angeles Times May 9. 1999. Rpt. in Violence in the Media as “Teens Aren't Getting More Violent.” Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Green Haven. 2001. 82-84.Pollitt, Katha. “Natural Assassinations.” La Nazione 26 July. 1999. Rpt. in Violence in the Media as “Violence in the media reflects violence in society.” Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Green Haven. 2001. 47-49.Torr, James D. Introduction. Violence in the media. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Green Haven. 2001. 13-15. Valenti, Jack. "Violent movies don't make children violent." Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. May 4th. 1999. Rpt. in Violence in the media. Ed. James D. Torr. San Diego: Green Haven. 2001. 72-74.