Watching violent television shows at preschool age may increase the risks of psychological disorders and academic problems before high school, according to a study by psychologists from the University of Montreal. The scientists' work was published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Psychologists studied violent content on the screen that parents reportedly watched their children between the ages of 3.5 and 4.5. Researchers then assessed the behavior of children as young as 12 years old. A total of 2,000 children participated in the experiment. When the children turned 12, the researchers collected feedback on their behavior from teachers and also interviewed the children themselves about their psychological state and academic success. Compared to their peers who were not exposed to violent content on the screen, children who watched violent shows as children were more likely to experience increased emotional stress. By the end of sixth grade, they also experienced decreased classroom engagement, academic performance and academic motivation, the researchers said. According to scientists, preschool children tend to identify with characters on television. Because of this, they may develop the attitude that violence in social interactions is the norm. This later provokes stress and failure in school. In addition, children may begin to perceive society as dangerous and frightening, which can lead to habitual overreactions in ambiguous social situations.