After the 1999 Columbine shootings, the victims’ families sued video game manufacturers, saying the the teen gunmen were desensitized to violence by playing violent video games. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association warn against violent media, as some studies show it can increase aggression in kids. But despite decades of research, science hasn’t found an irrefutable link between violent video games and real-life cruelty. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
The American Association of Pediatrics acknowledges real-life violence is tough to study. However, if you separate aggression (i.e., a snarling dog) from violence (a dog that bites), there is ample evidence that violent media increases aggression in children:
“Summarizing the results of more than 400 studies including violent media of all types, researchers found there was a significant association between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior.” thetylt.com
But others argue the vast majority of people who play video games never engage in real-life violence. Nearly 90 percent of American children play video games. If those games resulted in violent acts, wouldn’t our schools and playgrounds be filled with carnage?
- No, For The Millionth Time, Video Games Don’t Cause Real World Violence
Um, except our schools and playgrounds are kind of scenes of carnage. We’ve got kids killing kids on a daily basis. If restricting violent video games prevented even one school shooting, wouldn’t it be worth it?
thetylt.com
Game writer Erik Kain argues forcefully the science is in and it proves virtual violence does not lead to violence in real life.
thetylt.com
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