How Violent Games Effect Children

Addiction to Violence
 Even though video games can be entertaining, they can also become addictive if they are not regulated. This is becoming a problem in today's society. Children are focusing more on the games rather than getting involved in sports, friends, family, and school. It is surprising how many people are addicted and the impact they have on their lives. While many children play violent video games for amusement addiction to these games, especially violent ones, can cause negative emotional effects on todays youth. Children are spending too much time playing violent video games and are becoming addicted. Children could be spending more time participating in productive activities rather then playing video games, "79% of American children now play computer or video games on a regular basis. Children between the ages of seven and 17 play for an average of eight hours a week." There is not enough parental guidance for how much today's youth is playing is playing video games. It is a dilemma that many parents do not restrict the choices of the video games their children are purchasing. Violent games may influence children's behavior patterns. When children become addicted their whole attitude can changes "Student who were more 'addicted' to video games were significantly more likely to be in a bad mood before, during, and after play than were non addicted students." They are not focused on other important parts of their lives like spending time with family or friends. Children are becoming aggressive and hostile due to the influences of video games. If children spent less time playing these games and more time doing other activities then they might be less aggressive and have better social skills. There are age restrictions to some violent video games, but there are still ways that children are getting them. Parents or friends are buying these games for younger children and these restrictions are not always enforced. People who work at stores such as