The role of sociodemographic factors in children’s media preferences and their connection to violent content and physically aggressive behaviour

english

2026

volume 77, issue 1

children’s media preferences   education   pshysically aggressive behaviour   violent media content

Zveza društev pedagoških delavcev Slovenije
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

The relation between children’s exposure to violent media content and the display of physically aggressive behaviour has been extensively examined, frequently via Bandura’s social learning theory. This study investigates media preferences among preschool and early elementary school children, focusing on sociodemographic differences and the association between exposure to violent media content and children’s physically aggressive behaviour. The research was carried out in three stages: (1) parents completed a survey to provide sociodemographic data about their children; (2) children were interviewed about their favourite media and peer assessments of their physically aggressive behaviour were collected; and (3) children’s preferred media content was analysed to evaluate the extent of the violent content it included. The findings indicate a significant association between exposure to violent media content and a higher incidence of physically aggressive behaviour on the part of children. Moreover, there are gender- and agerelated differences in children’s media preferences, with boys and older children more frequently preferring violent content. These findings highlight the importance of both media literacy and active parental mediation in shaping children’s media habits and provide valuable insights for preventing the negative impacts of exposure to violent media on young children’s social and behavioural development.

11.05.2026