Researchers Suggest Children Don't Enjoy TV and Movie Violence

Despite the growing concern about the effects of media violence on children, cartoons and other children's programming still often contains scenes of violence. Classic cartoons such as "Looney Tunes" and "Tom and Jerry" often feature scenes of slapstick violence and recent action cartoons have also drawn criticism for their violent content. A new study published in the journal Media Psychology suggests that such violence does nothing to add to children's enjoyment of television programs.

Researchers from Indiana University presented on of four version of a five-minute animated short to a sample group of 128 children between the ages of 5 and 11. After viewing the clip, researchers then led the children through a questionnaire. The researchers found that children who watched cartoons without violence enjoyed them just as much as those with violent scenes. In some cases, children actually enjoyed the non-violent cartoons even more.

"Violence isn't the attractive component in these cartoons, which producers seem to think it is. It's more other things that are often associated with the violence. It's possible to have those other components, such as action specifically, in non-violent ways," said Andrew J. Weaver, an assistant professor of telecommunication at Indiana University. "You don't have to cram violence into these cartoons to get kids to like them. They'll like them without the violence, just as much if not more."

Learn more about this study:

• Violence Doesn't Add to Children's Enjoyment of TV Shows, Movies - Science Daily

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