Research Findings

Various sources have found a significant link between television viewing amongst Elementary-aged children and the amount of aggression that they display. According to Manganello and Taylor (2009), children in households that watch a large amount of television are exposed to different environments. This article proposed that often times the programs that parents choose to watch around their children have a major impact on their children’s behavior while interacting with others in social settings.

            Ozmert, Toyran and Yurdakok (2002) found that children in the second and third grades view more television that is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Their study used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to evaluate behavioral problems. After dividing the children into three groups according to the amount of television that they watch, they found that those children who watched more television were significantly more prone to aggressive behaviors than those who watched low-levels of television. To view the critera that is evaluated on the Child Behavior Checklist and get a better idea of how childrens' actions are perceived, please click the link below:


Child Behavior Checklist

Exploration

In today's society, the media is everywhere. Whether it's television shows, news broadcasts, or online blogs, there is no way of escaping modern technology. Advancements in media technology have allowed for many positive changes and easier lifestyles for the modern American; however, there are certain repercussions that may or may not be recognized. Young children may be especially suceptible to these negative effects caused by what they view on the television at an early age. Many television shows today depict strong acts of aggression, even in shows that are designed and created for young kids. This blog will explore the specfic question, "how does level of exposure to television programs affect aggressive behaviors in children in grades Kindergarten to Fifth?" In the hopes of finding a clear answer to this question, precautions can be taken to eliminate the negative effects of television exposure to young kids and create shows that do not promote aggressive behaviors.

The graph below shows the various types of media that result in negative social behaviors amongst children. As you can see, television violence and aggression is the second highest risk factor.