New Orleans Coroner, Dr. Dwight McKenna, says research shows preschoolers who watch violent television are more likely to have emotional and behavioral issues at the age of 12, according to current research and investigators.

These findings align with previous studies that have shown the negative effects of watching violent content, reinforcing the importance of restricting childhood screen time.

For girls, negative outcomes, included, greater, emotional distress, less classroom engagement, lower, academic achievement, and less academic motivation. Boys showed greater emotional distress, decreased attention, disorderly, behavior, social withdrawal, less classroom engagement, lower, academic achievement, and less academic motivation.

Although the natural response to these findings is to restrict childhood exposure to violent content, this may be easier said than done. TV is no longer the only screen in the home, as it was, when in initial research began. Nowadays, parents need to monitor multiple devices, including smart phones, tablets, and computers, all of which may negatively impact normal brain development.

Dr. McKenna wants you to be aware of technology. In many studies, the guidelines call for no screen time at all, until a child is at least two years old, and then, less than one hour per day until age 5. You can always talk to a medical professional for further advice.