A study by the University of Otago, New Zealand has tracked the viewing habits of about 1,000 children born in the early 1970s from when they were aged five to 15, then followed up when the subjects were 26 years old to assess potential impacts.
The research found a strong correlation
between childhood exposure to TV and anti-social behaviour in young adults.
The study also found excessive TV viewing was linked to aggressive personality traits and an increased tendency to experience negative emotions.
These mechanisms could include reduced social interaction with peers and parents, poorer educational achievement, and increased risk of unemployment.
Findings suggest reducing TV viewing could help reduce rates of anti-social behaviour in society .
Research recommended that children should watch no more than 1-2 hours of quality TV a day.