Violence on TV increases aggressive behaviour

NEW YORK: Violence depicted in the media, particularly in television, films and video games, increases aggressive behaviour in both children and adults, a new US study has found.

The scientists reviewed more than 50 years of research on the impact of violence in the media and found that violence shown by media not only increases aggressive behaviour in both children and adults, it could have a particularly detrimental effect on the well-being of youngsters.

Researchers at the University of Michigan say exposure to violence via electronic media has more of an effect than other media, reported health portal News Medical.

Many children spend an average of three hours watching television each day and more than 60 percent of TV programmes contain some violence, while 40 percent show extreme violence, the researchers said.

Video game units are now present in 83 percent of homes with children. They end up spending large amounts of time playing video games, most of which contain violence.

Earlier research had found that children who watch violent television shows and who identify with the characters are more likely to be aggressive as adults and this is true for both men and women.

Scientists said though not every child exposed to violence in the media will become aggressive, parents and society need to exercise greater control on what children are exposed to through films, video games and television programs.