"From a military and law enforcement perspective, violent video games are murder simulators that train kids to kill." -Dr. David Grossman |
In the past two decades, violent video games were universally viewed as a negative force draining the potential and morality of its consumers. As former military psychologist David Grossman puts it, violent video games are “murder simulators” that train kids to kill. Atrocities such as the Sandy hook massacre, Aurora cinema shooting, and the Columbine shooting have all been linked to violent gaming. (Tverdohleb). The average person may think video games that involve committing crimes and killing can have adverse affects on people who play said games. This is true, but what remains in question is the extent to which violence in video games affect the behavior of people.
As many as 300 scientific studies were conducted and found that video games are linked to aggression. Lead researchers on the subject have concluded that exposure to violent video games is positively associated with heightened levels of aggression regardless of sex or age (Anderson 358). Through a series of tests, both experimental and non-experimental, scientists have reached additional conclusions that violent video games, if played frequently, can lead to the development of aggressive personalities and cognition. (Anderson 358). Games such as Mortal Kombat, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto are not the only culprits. The study reveals further that even non-violent video games can amplify aggression in individuals who experience high levels of frustration (Anderson 356). Despite these revelations, video games continue to dominate the spectrum of entertainment in modern society. The majority opinion of pediatricians and parents is overwhelmingly in agreement that video games cause aggression and violence, with 67 percent of parents and 90 percent of pediatricians holding this view. Given these facts and the research, what can be done to minimize the impact video games have on the minds of people? A problem seems to rest with the game rating organization. The APA has urged them to update the rating system on video games to provide an accurate picture on the types and levels of violence involved. (Tverdohleb) An improved rating system if implemented, would allow for better regulation of video game exposure. According to psychologist Dr. Jane McCartney, video games have a greater effect on children due to underdeveloped brains, which lead to overstimulation. (Tverdohleb). A large responsibility falls on parents to decide whether the video games their children are playing have negative ramifications. Additionally, parents can increase awareness of the game ratings in order to place limitations on their children on what games to purchase. |