Violent Video Games and Aggression

In a Joint Statement (2000) before the Congressional Public Health Summit, a number of American medical associations such as the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry cautioned parents about violence in the media and its negative effect on children. Their report stated that exposure to violent media can elevate aggressive feelings and thoughts, especially in children. These effects on aggressive behavior can be long-term. Although fewer studies have been conducted on interactive video games, evidence suggests that playing violent video games may have a more dramatic influence on the behavior of children and adolescents (Joint Statement, 2000).

Studies show that video games, especially ones with violent content, make teens more aggressive. Teens that play violent video games for extended periods of time tend to be more aggressive, more prone to confrontation with their teachers, may engage in fights with their peers, and have lower academic achievement (Gentile et al, 2004). Part of this increase in aggressive behavior has to do with the amount of time children are allowed to play video games. In a study by Walsh (2000), a majority of teens admitted that their parents do not impose a time limit on the number of hours they are allowed to play video games and also that most parents are unaware of the content or the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of the video games their children play. The interactive quality of video games differs from passively viewing television or movies because it allows players to become active participants in the game's script. Players are rewarded for engaging in acts of violence by being able to advance to the game’s next level, and violent acts are continually repeatedthroughout the video game. Repetition has long been considered an effective teaching method in reinforcing learning patterns, and these video games reinforce violence without the consequences. Violent video games train children to kill, glorify violence, desensitize them to suffering and legitimize and trivialize violence.