Watching Violence

People who watch violent television as children behave more aggressively 15 years later, according to one of the few TV-violence studies to follow children into adulthood.

The study, in the journal Developmental Psychology, linked violent TV viewing at ages 6 through 9 to such violent behaviors in a person's early 20s as spousal abuse and criminal actions leading to convictions. Given the results, researchers recommend that parents restrict viewing of violent TV shows and movies by toddlers through preteens.