A study involving close to 2,000 children offers an interesting finding. The researchers examined children’s exposure to violent television content at the ages of 3.5 and 4.5 years. Screen violence included physical aggression, verbal aggression, and relational aggression intended or attempting to cause harm to others.

When the same children were 15-years-old, the researchers interviewed them to assess any self-reported antisocial behaviors such as physical aggression, theft, threats, and involvement in gang fights. They found that violent television content viewed during the ages of 3.5 to 4.5 years of age predicted later aggressive behaviors in boys but not girls.

I tell you this simply for information. We have children and want them to grow into mature, kind, and compassion adults. Certain experiences can interfere with this goal. This study suggests that exposure to violence at a young age (3.5- to 4.5-years-old) might contribute to violence in boys as they reach adolescence. With that in mind, a parent may want to limit their children’s exposure to screen violence as much as they can. It’s something to think about.