Its official! Violent media does increase aggressive behavior among kids

A new study has revealed that exposure to violent media including video games, movies, TV programs, and Internet sites can increase aggression among children.

The research found that 66 percent of media researchers, 67 percent of parents and 90 percent of pediatricians agree or strongly agree that violent video games can increase aggressive behavior among children.

However, fewer than half agreed that violent comic books or literature would have such harmful effects on children.

The study also revealed that majorities of researchers, pediatricians and parents agreed that there was a causal relationship between exposure to violent media and aggressive behavior.

Brad Bushman, professor of communication and psychology at The Ohio State University, said that it might seem surprising that some people still question the effects of violent media on aggression but it might be because people don't distinguish between aggression and violence.

A shooting rampage could not be predicted just based on exposure to violent media or any other single factor, he further added.

Bushman also mentioned other forces driving the continued public debate on violent media effects including; journalists reporting violent media research in a way that increases uncertainty; media industries having a vested interest in keeping the public uncertain about the link between violent media and aggression; the motivation of violent media consumers to deny they are affected; and a few media researchers who repeatedly claim that violent media do not increase aggression.

The study is published online in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture.