The influence of violent TV cartoons watched by school children in Turkey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate the gender-specific impact of violence-oriented television cartoons on children, and to identify the behaviors demonstrating this influence. METHODS: The research was conducted on a total of 300 students chosen by a simple, random method applying a stratified weight in each school. A 20-question instrument was used for data collection, using face-to-face interviews with the students which occurred during visits to primary schools. RESULTS: A significant gender difference was noted between students' favourite cartoon shows, the type of influence those shows exerted, and the ways in which students imitated the behaviors of the cartoon characters (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was noted that male children were influenced by violence-oriented cartoons more than female children, and that they imitated cartoon characters more.