TV breeding 'mean, distrustful' children
Date: Sunday, August 11 @ 09:56:26 BST
Topic: w00t!
WATCHING lots of violence on television and playing violent video games not only makes kids more physically aggressive - it also makes them meaner and more distrustful, according to a study.
The findings add to research linking violence in the media with violent behaviour in children and adults, said David Walsh, co-author of the US-based study and head of the National Institute on Media and the Family.
The report found a correlation between exposure to high levels of TV or video game violence and "relational aggression" - behaviour including name-calling, threats and rumour-mongering.
In addition these same children were more likely to view others with the most suspicion, the study said.
"Long before kids throw a punch or pick up a weapon, they're probably treating kids in a relationally aggressive way," Mr Walsh said.
"This is the kind of thing that becomes the breeding ground for more overtly violent behaviour as these kids get older."
The youngsters filled out surveys of their TV viewing and video game habits, and were evaluated by their own teachers and peers in terms of how well they got along with others.
They also took a test to rate their levels of trust and suspicion. Children rated the most ill-behaved reported more exposure to media violence.
The Daily Telegraph
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