The Relationship Between Exploitative
Show Viewing Habits and Aggressive Behavior in Adolescents
Inong Sri Rahayu*, Feandi
Putra
STIKes Muhammadiyah Lhokseumawe,
Aceh, Indonesia
*Corresponding author: israyu83@gmail.com
Background: Exploitation is a form of crime and
violence that can jeopardize a child’s future. Adolescents who frequently watch
exploitative content are more likely to exhibit aggressive tendencies and may
become desensitized to violence in daily life, leading to both physical and
psychological consequences. This study aims to explore the relationship between
the habit of watching exploitative shows and aggressive behavior among
adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 76
adolescents in Aceh, Indonesia. Data on demographics, viewing habits of
exploitative shows, and aggressive behavior were collected using a
researcher-modified questionnaire. Results: Over half of the respondents
were female (57.9%), with the majority categorized as heavy viewers of
exploitative shows (69.7%), and aggressive behavior identified in 59.2% of
participants. A significant association was found between the habit of watching
exploitative shows and aggressive behavior (p-value = 0.002, OR = 5.790). Conclusion:
Adolescents who frequently consume exploitative content struggle to regulate
their behavior effectively, as the dependency on such shows fosters aggression.
Adequate supervision of adolescents is crucial, and it is recommended that
social media platforms prioritize broadcasting educational content to promote
positive personality development.
Keywords: Exploitation Viewing Habits, Aggressive
Behavior, Adolescents, Indonesia
Introduction
Child
exploitation constitutes a grave violation of legal norms, involving actions
that contravene regulations for personal or unilateral gain, often at the
expense of others (Adawiyah et al., 2024). In cases of child exploitation, the
harm inflicted is borne entirely by children, regardless of the motives behind
the actions. This highlights the urgent need for child protection to safeguard
the well-being of future generations and ensure the continued development of
society and the nation.
Recent
data reveal the alarming prevalence of violence against children. In October
2023, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) reported 1,478 cases of
child violence. Among these, 615 cases involved sexual crimes, 303 cases were
categorized as physical or psychological violence, 126 cases pertained to
children in conflict with the law, and 55 cases involved economic or sexual
exploitation. Additionally, from January to December 2022, the Ministry of
Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) recorded 32,687 cases of
violence against women, of which 25,053 involved children as victims (KPAI,
2023).
Adolescence
marks a critical period of mental, emotional, social, and physical development.
During this stage, individuals undertake key developmental tasks, such as
accepting their physical condition, achieving emotional independence, building
healthy relationships through interpersonal communication, and adopting
socially responsible behaviors to transition successfully into adulthood.
Adolescent development encompasses physical growth, cognitive advancement, and
personality and social maturation.
However,
exposure to media content with violent or exploitative elements significantly
influences adolescent behavior. Adolescents, who are still learning to discern
right from wrong, are particularly susceptible to imitating what they see and
hear, including aggressive actions and inappropriate language from their
surroundings or media (Anantasari, 2016). Research has shown that teenagers who
frequently watch violent or aggressive shows are more likely to exhibit
aggressive behavior compared to their peers. Even cartoons often depict
aggression, further normalizing such behavior among young viewers (Syam and
Nurhalisah, 2023).
Continuous
exposure to violent media desensitizes adolescents, causing them to perceive
aggression as normal and acceptable. This desensitization can lead to habitual
violence in daily life. The consequences of aggressive behavior in adolescents
are far-reaching, encompassing physical harm and psychological impacts such as
trauma, fear, insecurity, diminished enthusiasm for learning, and reduced
self-confidence. Socially, victims of violence may withdraw from interactions,
fearing threats or rejection, and become isolated from their peers (Rahmawati
and Asyanti, 2017).
The
influence of media on adolescent behavior cannot be overstated. Adolescents who
spend hours watching violent or exploitative content exhibit higher levels of
aggression than those who do not. The amount of time spent consuming media and
the nature of the content are critical factors in shaping behavior. Holmgren et
al. (2023) emphasize the importance of parental supervision over viewing
habits, advocating for reduced screen time and monitoring of content to
mitigate problematic media-induced behaviors in children.
Given
the substantial influence of violent media on adolescent behavior, targeted
interventions are essential to promote healthier viewing habits and support the
positive development of adolescents. This study aims to explore the
relationship between the habit of watching exploitative shows and aggressive
behavior among adolescents, providing evidence to inform preventive strategies
and enhance adolescent well-being.
Method
This
cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents attending junior high
schools in North Aceh Regency. The population included students aged 13 to 15
years, with participants selected using a simple random sampling technique to
ensure equal representation. Data collection was conducted using a
researcher-modified questionnaire designed to gather demographic information,
habits of watching exploitative shows, and aggressive behavior. The reliability
of the instrument measuring the habit of watching exploitative shows was
confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.833, indicating a high level
of reliability.
During
data collection, the researcher introduced themselves to the respondents,
explaining the study's objectives, significance, and procedures. Informed
consent was obtained, and each respondent signed a consent form before
participating. The questionnaire was distributed individually, and the
researcher provided clear instructions on how to complete it. After collecting
the completed questionnaires, the researcher performed data cleaning to ensure
accuracy and consistency in the responses. Each item in the questionnaire was
systematically categorized for analysis. The data processing involved several
stages: checking the completeness and accuracy of responses, coding variables
for analysis, entering data into statistical software, and organizing the data
into tables for interpretation. Finally, univariate analysis was conducted to
describe individual variables, and bivariate analysis explored relationships
between the variables of interest.
Ethical
considerations were carefully addressed, adhering to key principles such as
autonomy, beneficence, justice, nonmaleficence, veracity, confidentiality, and
accountability. These principles guided all stages of the study, from planning
to data analysis. The researcher obtained approval from the school principal
before initiating data collection.
Results
The
demographic data indicated that the majority of respondents were 14 years old,
accounting for 38.2% of the sample, and the respondents were predominantly
female, representing 57.9%. Regarding viewing habits of exploitative shows,
most adolescents (69.7%) were categorized as having heavy viewing habits, while
the remaining 30.3% had lighter viewing habits. In terms of aggressive
behavior, 59.2% of respondents exhibited aggressive tendencies, while 40.8% did
not display aggressive behavior.
A
cross-analysis of the viewing habits and aggressive behavior revealed that
among adolescents with heavy habits of watching exploitative shows, 71.7%
exhibited aggressive behavior, whereas only 28.3% did not. Conversely, among
those with lighter viewing habits, 69.6% did not exhibit aggressive behavior,
while 30.4% did. The statistical analysis demonstrated a significant
relationship between the habit of watching exploitative shows and aggressive
behavior, with a p-value of 0.002. The strength of this relationship was
further analyzed using the Odds Ratio (OR), which indicated that adolescents
with heavy viewing habits were 5.79 times more likely to exhibit aggressive
behavior compared to their peers with lighter viewing habits.
The
study reveals that the majority of adolescents in North Aceh Regency have
developed a heavy habit of watching exploitative shows, with 69.7% of
respondents falling into this category. In contrast, only 30.3% of respondents
fall into the light-watching category. According to Witherington (2016), habits
are behaviors that become ingrained in individuals over time, often becoming
automatic and resistant to change. Krahe (2015) describes violent shows as
programs that focus on antisocial themes, sexuality, or violence, which can
include physical, sexual, or mental abuse. These forms of content may feature
inappropriate language, contributing to a harmful viewing experience.
This
finding aligns with research by Kirani (2024), which examined the relationship
between the habit of watching violent films and aggressive behavior in
children. The study found that 54.15% of respondents who were heavy viewers
exhibited higher levels of aggressive behavior. Similarly, Martins and Riddle
(2022) noted that violent TV programs could negatively affect children's
psychological well-being, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations on
children’s programming. Such shows may be more harmful for teenagers, as their
psychological state is still developing, and repeated exposure can have
long-term effects on their behavior. Taggart, Eisen, and Lillard (2019)
conducted a study on children’s television content, finding that violent
content was inversely related to educational and prosocial content, further
suggesting that exposure to violence may impair social development. Television
shows, often aimed at children and adolescents, typically include violence, and
this is often coupled with other engaging but harmful themes, such as fantasy
and anthropomorphism.
The
researcher posits that the high frequency of watching exploitative shows in
this study may have led to increased aggression among respondents. Adolescents
may experience a heightened sense of anger and irritability, which can manifest
as conflicts with peers, teachers, or family members. Low parental control and
the influence of media that often glorifies violent behavior are critical
factors contributing to this trend.
Aggressive
behavior among adolescents in Indonesia was observed to be prevalent, with
59.2% of respondents displaying aggressive tendencies. According to Hodges
(2014), aggressive behavior is intentional harm directed at others, while Buss
(2016) defines it as a response to perceived threats, which may include both
physical and verbal aggression. Krahe (2015) similarly describes aggressive
behavior as any action that causes harm to another, whether through physical or
non-physical means.
The
study’s findings support the notion that violent media consumption influences
aggressive behavior. In line with Trisna's (2019) research, adolescents who
regularly watch violent shows tend to exhibit more aggressive behavior. The
researcher suggests that spending extended hours watching violent content, such
as action films, news, or soap operas featuring conflicts, contributes
significantly to the development of aggressive tendencies in adolescents. This
is particularly evident when they start to imitate the violent actions they see
on screen, often leading to conflicts in school and home environments. Adolescence
is a developmental stage where individuals are particularly susceptible to
external influences, such as media portrayals of violence. These portrayals can
lead to the normalization of aggressive behaviors, as adolescents may not fully
grasp the consequences of their actions.
The
study demonstrates a clear link between the habit of watching exploitative
shows and aggressive behavior, with 71.7% of respondents who watched heavy
violent content exhibiting aggressive behavior. Statistical tests yielded a
significant p-value of 0.002, indicating that the relationship between these
two variables is not due to chance. These findings echo the work of Mutiara
(2022), who found a similar association in preschool children, although the
relationship was not statistically significant in her study.
The
comparison with other studies, such as that by Ranteallo and Mapandin (2018),
supports the argument that prolonged exposure to violent television content
contributes to the development of aggressive behavior. Violent media, according
to research by Gentile et al. (2004) and Huesmann et al. (2003), has been shown
to influence various forms of aggression, from mild verbal confrontations to
more severe acts of violence.
Adolescents
who frequently engage with violent media are desensitized to aggression,
perceiving it as normal or even acceptable behavior. This phenomenon aligns
with Delhove and Greitemeyer’s (2021) findings that individuals who consume
violent media tend to accept aggression as a legitimate response to conflict. The
researcher assumes that the high consumption of violent shows may be reducing
adolescents’ sensitivity to aggression, leading them to view violence as a
routine part of life. This desensitization could have significant physical and
psychological consequences, including trauma, insecurity, reduced learning
engagement, and diminished self-esteem.
In
conclusion, the study establishes a significant relationship between the habit
of watching exploitative shows and aggressive behavior in adolescents in North
Aceh Regency. Adolescents who engage in extended viewing of violent shows are
more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, as media portrayals of violence
become internalized and normalized. This reinforces the need for better media
regulation and more active parental involvement in monitoring children’s media
consumption. Additionally, it underscores the importance of educating
adolescents about the potential negative impacts of violent content on their
behavior and psychological well-being.
Acknowledgments
I
would like to express my gratitude to all parties who have contributed to the
completion of this research, particularly STIKes Muhammadiyah Lhokseumawe for
providing research grant funds (number 201/B.01.07/2024) for the 2024-2025.
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