The relationship between preschool children's behavioral problems and cartoons they watch

Abstract

Objective: TThe aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of the behavioral problems seen in preschool children in relation to socio-demographic factors such as gender and parents' educational levels, and the cartoon watching behavior as well. Method: The participants were a group of 133 children around 4-6 years of age and their mothers. Socio-demographic Data Form was applied to the mothers, while Child Information Form (CIF) and Strength and Difficulties Questionniare (SDQ) were applied to the children. CIF examined the weekly cartoon watching time of children and what type of cartoon they watched. The cartoon types were categorized into 3 groups; helpful cartoons, neutral cartoons and harmful cartoons. Results: According to the results of our study, the social behavior points evaluated with SDQ of girls were determined to be higher than those of the boys, while no significant difference between the SDQ points according to the parents' education levels and the weekly cartoon watching time were found. Compared to children who watch neutral or helpful cartoons, it has been determined that in children who watch harmful ones have considerably higher amounts of emotional symptoms, behavior problems, attention deficit, hyperactivity and problems with peers, while their social behavior levels have been determined to be lower. Discussion: Longterm follow-up studies should be conducted in order to determine the causative and temporal corelations between cartoons and children's behavioral problems.