Violent video games and child aggression

Survey finds 75 percent of parents think violent video games contribute to actual violence.

By Charyn Pfeuffer - MSN Living Editor Jan 16, 2013 9:40PM

Little more than one month has passed since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and the world still grieves for the 26 lives lost.

As the community of Newtown and the nation struggle to make sense of the devastation, gun control, mental health issues and violent video games have all been called into question. Groups like Sandy Hook Promise call for a ‘national conversation’ and President Obama is rolling out plans to curb gun violence, but the search for solutions on how to avoid a repeat incident remains.

In the days following the shooting, details unfolded surrounding Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old Newtown shooter, his “strange” behavior and “obsession” with violent video games kept surfacing. Lanza lived at his mother's colonial-style mansion, where he had two of the house's four bedrooms – one for himself and the other for the computer where he played violent video games, reports the The Telegraph.
According to express.co.uk, Lanza's favorite video game was said to be a shockingly violent fantasy war game called Dynasty Warriors. Was it a game or easy access to a deadly arsenal of guns – he reportedly learned how to shoot after his mother took him to local ranges - that inspired Lanza to carry out the deadly massacre?

The topic of virtual violence resulting in real life aggression has long been controversial. Are these games simply a fun hobby, or for children who may already be mentally or emotionally unstable, do these games have the ability to push someone over the edge?

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A new survey from Common Sense Media found that 75 percent of parents think violent video games contribute to actual violence. 1,050 people were surveyed, and 89 percent of them say violence in video games is a problem. (45 percent say it's a major problem; 44 percent say it's a minor problem.)

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"There is a real harm in children having exposure to violence, such as playing violent video games," says Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Debra Kissen, Ph.D., M.H.S.A. of Chicago, IL. "By playing violent video games, children (and adults) become desensitized to this content and therefore experience less of an emotional reaction to violence," says Kissen. "Therefore, violent behavior becomes normalized and becomes a more reasonable alternative when experiencing a conflict."

News: Gun group: Our industry didn't cause Newtown

Jason Schreier, Editor of Kotaku, the Gamer's Guide challenges the Common Sense Media survey findings and the association between violent video game use and violence.

Bing: How to tell if your child is emotionally disturbed

“There have been no scientific studies that connect violent video games to violence,” he wrote on the site. “There have been studies that connect violent video games to aggression (more on that in the near future), but there is absolutely zero evidence, according to leading researchers in this field, that links violent video games to violent crime in any way.”

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803Comments

Newest

Jan 17, 2013 6:26PM

With over 10,000 deaths every year due to drunk driving why am I reading about gamers? Although Newtown was tragic we have much bigger issues. I think the Obama team should stop going after whats popular and go after what matters most

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Marko1987

Jan 17, 2013 6:26PM

Yes but, parents might be good people and still allowing their child to play aggressive videogames so....

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Str8tTalker

Jan 17, 2013 6:25PM

If a person has a brain inside of his/her skull and can correctly identify right from wrong then it would be true that they would be able to distinguish reality from a ****ing video game. When you shoot virtual enemies no harm is done in reality. People who play video games know that. The bottom line of all this is that Adam Lanza was a poor lonely bastard with no friends, no future, no girlfriend, no dick and he knew that and he knew he was one miserable ****. The fact that he SAT IN HIS ROOM FOR HOW MANY MONTHS/YEARS WITH NO SOCIAL INTERACTION SHOOK THE KID OUT OF REALITY TO THE POINT WHERE THE S.O.B. COULDN'T TELL RIGHT FROM WRONG. All you idiots out there who think playing **** video games breed killers should just go crawl back in your dumpster of retardation and individual problems and let me know if you find any brown bananas in there so I can make banana bread all the ones I got now are too green. Thanks bitches

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James Craig Chastain

Jan 17, 2013 6:24PM

Once again the stupidity and laziness of this nation shows its ugly head. Every one wants to blame everything else, the games and the guns. Want not just blame the government that has made punishing child the way they should be a crime. Parents are told,"Spanking your child is wrong!"

Well when I was going up if you did something wrong at home you were scolded or if it was really bad you got your butt tore up. After once or twice of that you didn't want anymore and at school you got a paddling and no there was no parents consent bull.

The laziness of the parents now a days not raising their children but relying on the schools to do it is the main problem.

Take responsibility for your kids and stop laying it off on everyone and everything else!!!!

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Steve T. Nicolaus

Jan 17, 2013 6:24PM

your not talking about mother and the son going out shooting together the one that use the weapons to shoots kids that active role of parent.

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bulldogbob

Jan 17, 2013 6:24PM

Advertising does not bring in customers. Adventure Sports are never tried at home. Video games do not affect children. Which on of these statements in not true?

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two-dads

Jan 17, 2013 6:23PM

I would say yes on video games, movies, music and TV all do add to violent behavior. Couple these items with the environment one may live within and absolutely all these items contribute to violent behavior and more so than lack of "gun laws".

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Chris G

Jan 17, 2013 6:23PM

LOL! Lawmakers propose tax on violent games! That's always the solution huh, just tax whatever might be "morally objective". Why doesn't the article address the fact that many of these violent video games are created and commissioned by the department of defense? And that drone pilots are nothing more than arcade nerds blowing up innocent women and children over seas using XBOX CONTROLLERS! And why is it that the most violent people alive (the government) are the ones who have a problem with "violent video games?" What, it's not real enough? Funny how Obama says we don't need guns but he's surrounded by secret servicemen who are armed to the teeth! It's all a bunch of BS to take your money and liberty ladies and gentlemen, don't fall for it! It's called "problem, reaction solution". Create the problem, have people beg for a reaction, then introduce your pre-planned solution.

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