A new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health has found a strong link between early exposure to violent television content and aggressive behavior in boys during adolescence.
Researchers at the University of Montreal analyzed data from over 1,900 children, aged 3.5 to 4.5 years, who were part of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. The study tracked the children’s exposure to violent TV content and their self-reported antisocial behaviors at age 15.
The results showed that boys who watched violent TV in early childhood were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, such as physical aggression, theft, and involvement in gang fights. No similar effects were observed in girls.
The researchers believe that this is because boys are generally exposed to more violent content on TV, which can desensitize them to violence and encourage aggressive behavior. The study’s lead author, Linda Pagani, emphasized the importance of public health campaigns to educate parents and communities about the risks of violent media exposure in early childhood.
The findings have significant implications for preventing aggression and promoting healthy development in children. The researchers hope that their study will contribute to the development of effective preventive intervention programs that target knowledge transfer to parents and communities regarding the potential consequences of preschool exposure to violent content.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/violent-media-teen-antisocial-behavior-28371