NEW YORK, May 29 (Reuters Health) - Preschoolers who watch television violence and play violent video games are more likely to show high levels of aggression and antisocial behavior than tots who aren't exposed to so much violence, according to a new study.

      "We were really alarmed by our findings," reports Dr. Asha Daniel, of the New York University School of Medicine, who with colleague Dr. Alan Mendelsohn led the team of researchers.

      Parents of 79 children ages two to six were asked about their children's behavior during visits to a pediatric clinic in New York's Bellevue Hospital. Children who watched television violence and/or played violent video games several times a week or more were classified as "frequently exposed."

      The frequently exposed children were 11 times more likely to display behaviors such as being disruptive, fighting with family members, hitting other children, and destroying property, report the researchers. These findings were independent of factors such as age, quality of parent-child interactions, witnessing domestic violence, and involvement with child protection services.

      "Violent computer games in particular are becoming part of preschoolers' daily lives, and we are concerned that these games are associated with antisocial behavior in young children," stated Mendelsohn. "The study strongly suggests an association between media violence and young children's antisocial behavior."

      Parents need to get more involved with their children and their activities, stated Daniel, who recommends that parents follow the guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics: Make sure you know what your child is watching on TV or playing, and limit TV time to one or two hours a day. In addition, discuss the violence that your child sees in these media, and its real-life consequences. Finally, talk with your children about ways to solve problems without violence.

      And don't wait until your child is school-age to start talking. "As a result of this study, we are now incorporating discussion of media violence into the parenting programs run by our Child Life staff," stated Mendelsohn. "As with other behavioral and developmental issues, the potential for benefit is greatest if we can intervene early."

      The researchers' findings were presented at a joint meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Academic Societies, held in Boston in mid-May.