Computer games may be turning your kids violent

LONDON: Parents beware! If your child is exhibiting violent behaviour, it's time to ban him from playing computer games.

Official statistics in UK have shown that children as young as five are being sent out of classrooms routinely for attacking fellow pupils and teachers as violent incidents in schools are on the rise.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in UK, have suggested violent and addictive computer games are turning children more aggressive.

Overall, primary, secondary and special school pupils were suspended 161,540 times in 2010-11 for assault or verbal abuse, which is 850 pupils a day, the 'Daily Express' reported.

According to the statistics about 90 youngsters, aged between five and 11, were ordered out of the classroom on daily basis in 2010-11.

An ATL poll found students' behaviour in schools having worsened since 2006, a reason attributed to increased computer games in households.

In 2010-11, primary pupils were suspended 9,160 times for assaulting other children, which is up from 9,030 as recorded a year ago.

On 7,830 occasions, they were also given fixed exclusions for attacking a member of staff compared to 7,230 times recorded in 2009/10.