CHILDREN EXPOSED TO TELEVISION PROGRAMS: FEAR, ANXIETY AND PERCEPTION OF SOCIETAL AND PERSONAL RISK

Mass media plays an important role in delivering and spreading information, increasing the probability of exposure of growing individuals to content of various kinds, even content that is inappropriate for their developmental stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the type of television use, exposure to different types of programs potentially characterized by violent content, and psychological well-being in a sample of Italian children. 177 elementary school students, from grade 3 to grade 5 (94 females, 83 males, Mage=9.6, SD=0.8, age range: 8-11 years) completed an ad hoc questionnaire, related to socio-demographic data and mode of television viewing, the Italian Fear Survey Schedule for Children - Revised, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children, and the Societal and Personal Risk Assessment for Youth. The results show that age has no significant correlation with television viewing time or parental coviewing. However, there was a positive correlation with perceived social risk and general risk perception, while there was a negative correlation with separation anxiety. A cluster analysis revealed four unique behavioral patterns that illustrate the complex relationship between television content and psychological responses. In addition, ANOVA revealed significant differences in risk perceptions between groups. These findings underscore the need to employ nuanced media engagement techniques and design targeted media literacy programs that take into account the complex effects of media on children's development.