This study was conducted to determine if television causes aggressive behavior in children (36-72 months). The study population included the children at a government-sponsored nursery (n=105) and their families. A questionnaire and Preschool Social Behavior Scale - Teacher Form were used to collect the data. Daily television viewing time among the children was determined as 1.6 ± 0.9 hours on weekdays and 3.4 ± 1.8 hours on weekend days. The duration of television viewing by the children showed a positive correlation with the behaviors of the parents. In conjunction with an increase in the duration of television viewing by children on weekdays, the children showed less positive social behavior and more physical and relational aggression. With an increase in television viewing during the weekends, the children showed less positive social behavior and more physical aggression. Information and counselling on the negative effects of television viewing on children should be available to families.

Keywords: çocuk, okul öncesi dönem, televizyon, saldırganlık.