Linkages between violence online and youth seriously violent behavior

Ybarra, Michele (2008, August).  Linkages between violence online and youth seriously violent behavior. Presented at the American Psychological Association 116th Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

Summary:

This presentation analyzes data from the Growing up with Media study to discuss linkages between violence online and youth seriously violent behavior. The main purpose of the Growing up with Media survey is to extend our understanding of the linkages between exposure to media violence and the expression of externalizing behaviors by:

1. Focusing on new media (Internet, games)

2. Measuring a wide range of behaviors: seriously violent behavior, aggressive behavior (online and offline), and delinquent behavior

Findings include:

- Aggressive behavior, delinquent behavior, and seriously violent behavior are significantly and positively correlated to a violent media diet.

- The current data suggest elevated rates of aggressive behavior, delinquent behavior, and even seriously violent behavior  for youth who report that the their violent media exposures are similar to real life, and especially for those who report greater identification with the characters.

- Associations are especially strong between aggressive behavior and identification with game characters.

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