A new study just published in the Journal of Science links one hour of -television to violent behavior in children and young adults.
The link between violence on television and violent children isn't new....
But this study conducted at Columbia University is the most definitive one yet.
Claiming children who watch more than one hour of television a day are much more likely to become violent.
-Vicki Reynolds/Day Care Director- "AFTER THEY'VE WATCHED EVEN LIKE POKEMON, THEY'RE JUST LIKE SO-THEY'RE JUST LIKE REALLY ROWDY AND THEY DON'T TALK NICE TO EACH OTHER AND THEY HAVE AN ATTITIUDE."
Day Care director, Vicky Reynolds, has known for years--
What researchers proved in a recent studied conducted at Columbia University.
Children mimic what they see on television.
Vicki Reynolds/Day Care Director- "ALOT OF THEM WILL COME IN AND SAY I WATCHED SUCH AND SUCH SHOW--THEN THEY'LL COME IN AND THEY'LL BE WARRIORS OR THEY'LL BE GANG MEMBERS."
The study suggests that it only takes one hour of viewing regular television programming for kids and teens to view 4 aggressive acts and become violent.
One reason why Vicky only allows children in her care to watch carefully selected non violent videos.
A move child psychologist, Doug Goldsmith says may help ease some aggressive behavior.
Dr. Douglas Goldsmith/The Children's Center
Dr. Douglas Goldsmith/The Children's Center"I THINK THE KEY HERE IS THAT PARENTS HAVE GOT TO BE AWARE OF WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING ON TELEVISION."
Researchers tracked over seven hundred children in upstate New York over seventeen years.
They found 5.7 percent of those who watched less than an hour of t.v. a day committed agressive acts.
Compared to 22 and a half percent who watched one to three hours of television a day .
The findings come as no surprise to child psychologists.
Dr. Douglas Goldsmith/The Children's Center
(Dr. Douglas Goldsmith/The Children's Center"EVEN BACK IN THE FITIES AND SIXTIES CHILDREN WHO WATCHED AGRESSIVE EPISODES WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE AGGRESSIVE AFTER WATCHING THEM."
It's been suggested that one of the reasons for the link is perhaps people who watch lots of television lose their social skills, or never develop them.
So when conflicts arise they may resort to throwing punches--verbal and otherwise.
