A recent Canadian study published this month titled, “Prospective Associations Between Preschool Exposure to Violent Televiewing and Externalizing Behavior in Middle Adolescent Boys and Girls” has been gaining attention in some parent and caregiver circles, with claims that it supports the idea that violent media, particularly video games, leads to violent behaviour in youth. (1) However, it’s important to clarify the study’s scope and findings before jumping to conclusions.
This research focused on preschooler’s exposure to violent content on television, not video games, and tracked their behaviour over 17 years. It involved 963 girls and 982 boys who were first studied between the ages of 3.5yrs and 4.5yrs. Longitudinal studies like this one can provide valuable insights into long-term behavioural trends, but it’s essential to interpret any findings correctly.
To gain deeper insight into this study’s implications, we sought the expert opinion of a PhD psychologist who also conducts research in this field. They pointed out that the reported effect sizes in the study, how much violent TV watching was associated with externalizing behaviours like aggression, were extremely small:
- Physical aggression (β = 0.065; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.089)
- Antisocial behaviour (β = 0.074; 95% CI, 0.040 to 0.487)
In simple terms, yes there was an effect, but these numbers indicate a relationship so tiny that it could easily be statistical noise.
As the PhD psychologist explained to us,
“These effect sizes are too small to be interpreted as supportive of the hypothesis that violent media causes violent behaviour.”
This study highlights an ongoing issue in how research is sometimes misinterpreted or misrepresented to support preexisting narratives. As our expert said,
“Will we ever get to an age where we accept that tiny effect sizes, even if ‘statistically significant,’ cannot provide real support for a beloved hypothesis?”
In this case, the hypothesis being promoted is that violence viewed on screens leads to violent behaviour in youth. However, the study didn’t even examine video game violence, this is a clear example of cherry-picking data to fit a particular agenda.
Far too often, people in our field of digital literacy and internet safety will cite a study like this and proclaim, “Aha, here’s proof that violent video games cause violence in youth.” However, it’s important to remember that a single study doesn’t establish a fact, and even if the findings are accurate, what is the statistical significance of the results?
So what should parents and caregivers take away from this Canadian based research:
- When encountering claims about studies, especially on social media or advocacy websites, take a moment to dig deeper. Ask whether the claims accurately reflect what the research studied and found.
- A study showing a small statistical effect doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a meaningful real-world impact – context matters.
- Video games and TV are not the same, and conclusions about one cannot automatically be applied to the other.
- If a study’s findings seem alarming, consult trusted experts who can help interpret the data. This is especially important for those like us who speak to parents and educators about digital literacy and internet safety.
As parents and caregivers, navigating the complex world of media and its impact on youth requires careful consideration and critical thinking. The Canadian study in question, while valuable for its longitudinal approach, does not provide substantial evidence to support the claim that violent video games causes violent behaviour in youth.
It’s essential to recognize the difference between what the study actually examined (violent TV viewing in preschoolers) and the narrative some may try to attach to it. Misinterpreting or exaggerating research findings not only misleads parents and caregivers, but also detracts from meaningful conversations about media, behaviour, and youth development. (2)
Rather than succumbing to fear-based interpretations, parents and caregivers should focus on fostering open communication with their children, staying informed about the content they consume, and understanding the broader context of research findings. By emphasizing facts over assumptions, we can create a more balanced and informed perspective on media’s role in our children’s lives. This is what we strive to do here at the White Hatter.
As parents and caregivers, it’s vital to approach media-related concerns with a balanced perspective grounded in facts rather than fear. While it’s important to monitor the content your child consumes, it’s equally crucial to understand what the research actually says, and doesn’t say, about its potential impact. In this case, the evidence does very little to support the claim that violent media causes violence in youth, much less that video games are to blame, especially where there are a number of other published peer-reviewed studies that say other wise. (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)
By staying informed and critical, we can make better decisions for our families and help foster a healthier, more informed discussion about youth and media.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References:
1/ https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/1/129
3/ https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.171474
4/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10964-019-01069-0
5/ https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cyber.2020.0049?journalCode=cyber
6/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220303885
