Is there a relationship between watching violence and violent behavior?

[mme_highlight] The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes exposure to violence in media (television, video games and others) as a significant risk to children’s health. Results from studies have shown that exposure to media violence is associated with problems such as aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, fear, depression, nightmares, as well as sleep disturbances. [mme_highlight]

The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes exposure to violence in media (television, video games and others) as a significant risk to children’s health. Research results join consensus indicating that media violence can contribute to aggressive behavior, nightmares and fears in children.

Why is media violence a public health issue?

It was estimated that American children aged 2 to 18 spend approximately 6,5 hours per day using media, increasing to 8 hours per day if considering the simultaneous use of multiple media; this makes it the leading activity in terms of time consume, with exception for sleep. Of course, during such a great amount of time, violent scenes are viewed.
It has been estimated that, by the age of 18, a person may have already seen a surprising number of 200.000 acts of violence, on television alone. The box below presents a surprisingly negative idea of the numbers of media violence.

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Media Violence in Numbers

Average time spent by children using media: 6.5 hours per day
Average screen time spent by children <2 years: 2 hours per day
Number of violence scenes viewed during childhood: 200.000
Average % of violence in broadcast programming: 66%
% of animated movies showing violence (1937-1999): 100%

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It also shocking to note that most of violence presented in media is perpetrated by handsome characters, establishing a wrong belief in children’s minds in which violence is a act heroes use as an acceptable way to solve problems.

How can children be affected by watching media violence?

Previous exposure to violence is the main factor to increase the risk for violent behavior. Remember that children learn by observing and they will try to imitate the attractive hero who solves problems with a gun. Also keep in mind the fact that a child younger than 8 years cannot discriminate between fantasy and reality so they may feel tempted to adopt what they watch in media as reality.

Another topic that deserves attention is the presence of television in children’s bedrooms. In fact, it was estimated that 19% of infants, 29% of 2 to 3-year-olds, 43% of 4 to 6-year-olds, and 68% of children aged 8 years or older have got a television in the bedroom. It is easy to realize that a child who has a T.V. in the bedroom tends to watch T.V. for more hours and, in addition, it has been studied that not only the risk for violent behavior may be increased, but also increases the risk for obesity by 31% and the risk for smoking doubles.

However, even in light of strong evidence from studies that media violence has a negative impact on children, it appears that the public, politicians, and parents all have been reluctant to accept these findings and take action.

Do studies support the association between viewing violence and violent behavior?

Yes, undoubtedly. Results from studies have shown that exposure to media violence is associated with problems such as aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, fear, depression, nightmares, as well as sleep disturbances.

A study by Christakis DA and Zimmerman FJ was conducted with the goal to find if exposure to violent programming during the preschool period would be associated with subsequent aggressive behavior.

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Association between violent television programming and antisocial behavior

Increased risk for antisocial behavior with violent programming
Overall: 2.2 times more likely (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.35–3.60).
Boys: 4 times more likely (OR: 4.10; 95% CI: 2.09–8.02)
Girls: no association found: (OR:0.39; 95% CI: 0.04–3.74)
Educational programming – no association with increased risk found
Boys: no association found (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.09–1.86)
Girls: no association found (0.63; 95% CI: 0.11–3.73)

OR – odds ratio; CI – confidence interval
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Summary and Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes exposure to violence in media (television, video games and others) as a significant risk to children’s health.
There is a substantial body of evidence indicating that exposure to media violence is associated with aggressive behavior, fear, depression, nightmares and sleep disturbances.
Children pass an alarming number of hours in front of television and other media and most of programming contains violent scenes.
Young children cannot discriminate fiction from reality and tend to imitate the heroes they see on the screen and who frequently use violence.
Children should not have a television in their bedroom as this will increase the number of hours watching T.V., raising the odds for obesity and smoking.

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References

Council on Communications andMedia. From de American Academy of Pediatrics. Policy statement–Media violence. Pediatrics. 2009 Nov;124(5):1495-503.
Committee on Public Education. American Academy of Pediatrics. Media Violence. Pediatrics.2001 Nov;108(5):1222-6.
Roberts DF. Media and youth: access, exposure, and privatization. J Adolesc Health. 2000;27(suppl):8–14.
University of California, Center for Communication and Social Policy.National Television Violence Study, I-III Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 1996-98.
Christakis DA, Zimmerman FJ. Violent television viewing during preschool is associated with antisocial behavior during school age. Pediatrics 2007; 120:993.
Dennison BA, Erb TA, Jenkins PL. Television viewing and television in bedroom associated with overweight risk among low-income preschool children. 2002;109(6): 1028–1035.
Jackson C, Brown JD, L’Engle KL. R-rated movies, bedroom televisions, and initiation of smoking by white and black adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(3): 260–268.

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