Do Violent Video Games Contribute To Youth Violence
Seth
Mrs.Loveall
Pre-IB/Honors English Language Arts
19 November 2013 Do violent video games contribute to youth violence? Video games do not contribute violence in majority of children but there is a small group that is at risk. “normal” children aren’t affected but mentally challenged kids can be. Although there are no studies that can show hard evidence for either side there are trends that lean towards the no affect side.
Studies show that “normal” children are not affected by violent video games. “Playing violent video games can make some adolescents more hostile, particularly those who are less agreeable, less conscientious and easily angered. But for others, it may offer opportunities to learn new skills and improve social networking” (Hamilton) Kids without mental disabilities or defects are less likely to get violent because of video games. It can in fact teach them to be more social and teach them skills. "Recent research has shown that as video games have become more popular, children in the United States and Europe are having fewer behavior problems, are less violent and score better on standardized tests. Violent video games have not created the generation of problem youth so often feared." (Ferguson) While the production and sales of video games has quadrupled in the past 20 years, youth problems, including assault, murders, rapes, and domestic violence, has steadily decreased. For most kids the games aren’t dangerous but teach good skills to have, skills such as hand eye coordination, reaction time, and social skills. It can teach kids how to communicate with each other and teach them computer skills that can help them in the future. Children with preexisting mental disorders are more likely to be influenced by games. “A "perfect storm" of traits for children who are most likely to become hostile after playing violent video games, Those traits are: high neuroticism (e.g., easily upset, angry, depressed, emotional, etc.), low
Mrs.Loveall
Pre-IB/Honors English Language Arts
19 November 2013 Do violent video games contribute to youth violence? Video games do not contribute violence in majority of children but there is a small group that is at risk. “normal” children aren’t affected but mentally challenged kids can be. Although there are no studies that can show hard evidence for either side there are trends that lean towards the no affect side.
Studies show that “normal” children are not affected by violent video games. “Playing violent video games can make some adolescents more hostile, particularly those who are less agreeable, less conscientious and easily angered. But for others, it may offer opportunities to learn new skills and improve social networking” (Hamilton) Kids without mental disabilities or defects are less likely to get violent because of video games. It can in fact teach them to be more social and teach them skills. "Recent research has shown that as video games have become more popular, children in the United States and Europe are having fewer behavior problems, are less violent and score better on standardized tests. Violent video games have not created the generation of problem youth so often feared." (Ferguson) While the production and sales of video games has quadrupled in the past 20 years, youth problems, including assault, murders, rapes, and domestic violence, has steadily decreased. For most kids the games aren’t dangerous but teach good skills to have, skills such as hand eye coordination, reaction time, and social skills. It can teach kids how to communicate with each other and teach them computer skills that can help them in the future. Children with preexisting mental disorders are more likely to be influenced by games. “A "perfect storm" of traits for children who are most likely to become hostile after playing violent video games, Those traits are: high neuroticism (e.g., easily upset, angry, depressed, emotional, etc.), low