Copycat Behavior and Somatic Symptoms in Italian Children Exposed to a Violent TV Series: An Observational Study of Squid Game Viewers - PubMed
2 days ago
- #children
- #media violence
- #somatic complaints
- The study examines copycat behaviors and somatic symptoms in Italian children aged 8-11 who watched the violent TV series Squid Game.
- Among 128 children who watched Squid Game, 32% engaged in imitation behaviors, often reenacting violent scenes with friends, siblings, or classmates.
- Children exhibiting copycat behaviors showed a slight increase in somatic complaints compared to non-copycat children, though the difference was small and subclinical.
- No significant differences were found in other behavioral or emotional scales between the two groups.
- The study emphasizes the need for media literacy for parents and educators to protect children from unsupervised exposure to violent content.
- Longitudinal studies including non-viewers are recommended to further understand the effects of violent media on children.