Associations between violent media and violence behavior over a 24-month period for children and adolescents

Summary:

Data are scarce that estimate the prevalence of youth exposure to violence online, as well as whether this exposure has been increasing over time. Rates of exposure to violence in other new media such as the Wii also are under-reported. Little is known about how these technologies may fit into the greater picture of a “violent media diet‟, as well as whether these new technologies are related to aggressive and violent behavior over time. This presentation will use data from the Growing up with Media study to define exposure to violent media, different types of violent websites, seriously violent behavior, delinquency, and aggressive behavior. Also discussed are prevalence rates of exposure to violent medias.

Findings:

1. Little change in exposure to violent websites was observed from 2006-2008.

2. Less than 1:20 report exposure to hate, death, or satanic sites – even as the cohort gets older.

3. Music use is highly correlated with Internet and text messaging use.

4.Violent media is strongly related across different types of media.

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