New York ? Children’s television is studded with violence, much of it darker and more realistic than when an anvil dropped on Wile E. Coyote’s head, a watchdog group reported Thursday.

The Parents Television Council analyzed 444 hours of kids’ daytime programs last summer and detailed 2,794 violent incidents, even after sifting out “cartoony” moments like those involving the Road Runner. That’s 6.3 incidents an hour – more than the PTC found in prime time aimed at adults during a 2002 study.

Violent cartoons can increase children’s anxiety, desensitize them or lead them to believe that violence is more prevalent – and acceptable – in real life than it really is, said Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center of Media and Children’s Health at Harvard University’s medical school.

Children under age 8 are cognitively unable to distinguish between real and fantasy violence, he said.

The PTC cited the Cartoon Network as having the most violent incidents.