Effects of Video Game Violence
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EFFECTS OF VIDEO GAME VIOLENCE
Video game violence can lead to real life violence. Individuals exposed to violent games at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed. Individuals who play a lot of violent game are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts, and are more likely to assume that acts of violence are acceptable behavior. Playing violent video games can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life. It can decrease the likelihood that one will take action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs. Video game violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and mean place. Playing these violent games increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with a resulting in an increase in self-protective behaviors and a mistrust of others.
AGGRESSION IN CHILDREN DUE TO VIOLENT GAMES
There is growing research on the effects of videogames on children. Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become: immune the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see, and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence. Some children accept violence as a way to handle problems. Studies have also shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the impact on children. In addition, children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems may be more influenced by violent images.
Children and adolescents can become overly involved and even obsessed with videogames. Spending large amounts of time playing these games can create problems and lead to aggressive thoughts and behaviors.
A 2009 study found that it takes up to four minutes for the level of aggressive thoughts and feelings in children to return to normal after playing violent video games, and takes five to ten minutes for heart rate and aggressive behavior to return to baseline. Video games that show the most blood generate more aggressive thoughts.
VIDEO GAMES AND ACTUAL VIOLENCE
On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold launched an assault on Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, murdering 13 and wounding 23 before turning the guns on themselves. Although nothing is for certain as to why these boys did what they did, we do know that Harris and Klebold both enjoyed playing the bloody, shoot-em-up video game Doom, a game licensed by the U.S. military to train soldiers to effectively kill.
Violent video games can train our children to kill, glorify violence, desensitize them to suffering and legitimize and underestimate violence.
K. Kalning, “Does game violence make teens aggressive?” MSNBC Interactive, [Online Document],