Eron and Huesmann are psychologists from the University of Michigan. Eron and Huesmann observed the viewing habits of over 800 children in the 1960s and then checked in on them both 11 and 22 years later to see if there was a link between seeing violence on television and becoming violent later in life. The study showed that watching violence on television is the biggest factor associated with becoming violent later in life. It was more important than race, poverty or even parental behavior. The experts say that 8 year olds who watch violent programming are more likely to be aggressive and violent at 19 and 30 years old than those 8 year olds who didn't watch as much violent programming.
Children often behave differently after they've been watching violent programs on television.
In one study done at Pennsylvania State University, approximately 100 preschool students were observed before and after watching television. Some watched cartoons that had a lot of aggressive and violent acts in them, while others watched shows that didn't have any kind of violence. The researchers noticed real differences between the kids who watched the violent shows and those who watched nonviolent ones. Children who watched the violent shows were more likely to hit out at their playmates, argue, disobey class rules, leave tasks unfinished, and were less willing to wait for things than those who watched the nonviolent programs . Despite this accumulated evidence, broadcasters and scientists continue to argue over the link between the viewing of television violence and children's aggressive behavior.