Heavy Television Viewing Linked to Trauma Symptoms, Violence Among Children
Children who view as little as 3 hours of television per day could be at risk of behavioral problems, depression and increased aggression. And children at highest risk for these three factors tend to be classified as heavy television viewers.
Children who reported watching greater amounts of television per day (more than 6 hours) had significantly higher total trauma symptom scores than children who reported watching less than 5 hours of television per day. Two thirds of the students reported watching at least 3 hours of television daily; more than one third watched 5 or more hours of television per day and approximately one fifth watched at least 6 hours per day.
Dr. Singer also said in an interview that 70% of the children surveyed had access to cable or satellite television, regardless of whether or not they lived in rural or urban areas. Studies have shown that cable TV carries shows with very violent content.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1998;37:1041-1048.