Violent Video Games and Their Effects

Violent Video Games and Their Effects on Youth and Adolescents

Stephanie Keith

Research Writing / Com 220

July 18, 2010
Maisah Robinson

Violent Video Games and Their Effects on Children and Adolescents

Why all the violence? Are we endorsing violence through media? With the violence of video games and other media, are children more prone to violent behavior? While some psychologists and researchers argue that it has not been proven that violent behavior in children and adolescent are the effects of violent video game, they argue that it could be other violent activities such as violent movies, and explicit videos; I believe that violent video games do have an adverse reaction on children with prolonged use. In the initial creation of video games, it was for entertainment and educational usage. While the video games of yesterday were less engaging, they were still entertaining. Video games and the computer age have opened some unwarranted door opening. While it is argued by some that video games have no real effect on children and their behavior, others argue that they do have an effect on children. Information is passed through the gateway of the ears and the eyes. Every action began as a thought before it is ever performed. Thoughts are generated by the senses. Thoughts are generated through the ear gate and the eye gate that eventually leads to action. Does violence in video games promote violence in children is a question that has been discussed in the media for more than 15 years. Every time a new video game is launched there is discussion regarding many issues such as aggression, violent behavior, social skills, depression, and addiction. All these issues are believed to be related to playing violent video games. Violent video games enlarge these problems by demanding the portion of brain that takes action, instead of reasoning, to concentrate on the chronic need to extirpate to continue in the game. Violent video games are everywhere. We see them in the mall, as advertisement and even being issued by the US military. The game “Doom,” a game license by the U.S. military to train soldiers to kill effectively linked to a violent assault in 1999. Dylan Kleboid and Eric Harris killed 13 and wounded 23 people at Columbine High School before killing themselves. Although there isn’t any certainty why these boys committed these hateful acts it is proven that both Eric and Dylan enjoyed playing the bloody, shoot-em up video game.

Violence and aggression go hand in hand. They complement each other. Most violence children show signs of aggression before acting out or assaulting someone. Aggression is the practice of making assaults or attacks; offensive behavior in general. Violent video games are an introduction for learning and practicing aggressive solutions for have anxiety, which they do, instead of soothing themselves, calming themselves, talking about it, expressing it to someone, or even expressing it emotionally by crying, they tend to externalize it. They can attack something, they can kick a wall, and they can be mean to a dog or a pet. Violent video games affect aggression by provoking aggressive thoughts. Violent video games display increased aggression versus violent television shows simply because of the interaction and control advantages of a video game. Three different research studies link violent video games and aggression as a problem in males seven t0 forty-five. The first study performed by Sandra L. Calvert and Sui-Lan Tan showed that students who played violent video games had a higher heart rate, increased dizziness, nausea and more aggressive thoughts versus students who played non-violent video games. The second study performed by researcher Roland Irwin studied the behavior of second grade boys after playing violent video games. Based on his observations he could conclude that the young boys displayed more verbal and physical aggression to lifeless objects and playmates during recess. The third study performed by researcher Steven Kirsh noted the effects violent video games had on the mindset of third grade boys. After acquiring half of the boys play Wolfenstein three-D, an extremely violent game and the other half play Myst, a non-violent video game, he asked the boys questions about hypothetical situations. The half that played the violent video game responded with more hostility on three of six questions compared to the half that played the non-video game.

Video games can cause depression. If one would look at the logistics behind playing video games. One would see the signs of depression and how it affects one mentally. First, some players like an isolate setting, which tends to be more comfortable for some players. Forty percent of frequent gamers play alone. In addition, when the player fails the player becomes sadden by the lost, which leads to addiction the need to win becomes stronger. Video game addiction is common when playing violent video games. Common symptoms or signs of video game addiction are fatigue, tendency to fall asleep in school, worsening grades, lying video game use video game privileges aren’t taken away, dropping out of social groups, irritable, cranky, or agitated (withdrawal symptoms) when not playing a video game. Therefore, the chances of the player eating a healthy meal in lessened. Studies have shown that consuming a large amount of unhealthy foods or not eating at all are signs of depression. Thus, the player probably does not see the change in behavior while playing a game. This is a major psychological component of playing video games. Even though the video games are fictional the reality of video games are dangerous. With video games like Resident Evil 4, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and God of War the pressure to have complete success at these games puts the mind under stress that may result in violence as a way of expression. Mental stress can cause children to perform poorly in school and become socially inept.

Obviously over the years the activities that occupy youth’s time have changed dramatically. Children use to play outdoor activities such as hop-scotch and jacks whereas cell phones, computers and video games occupy and entertain this generation’s time. With this being a said, why all the violence in Video games? Are we endorsing violence through media? With the violence of video games and other media, are children more prone to violent behavior? Statistics show that more children suffer from and are being treated for anger management than ever before. Research proves that children that engage in violent video games display elevated bodily aggression months later. Though this is not the case with all children and all video games this research study was taken a step further for more effectiveness. Not only was this studied on American children The United States researchers reached out across the globe and hooked up with Japanese researchers. Japan was chosen because the same video games are attractive and corruption and belligerence are less common. In the United States studies showed that children are more likely to be involved in altercations at school or be labeled as aggressive by their teachers six months after playing violent video games, similar results were found in japan. This undeniable proof shows that participating in violent video games can have bad effects on children. Violence in the media is now being recognized as a meaningful risk to the well-being of children. It is recommended that screen time such as video games should be limited to no more than two hours a day.

The initial creation of video games was for entertainment and educational use. Although the video games of yesterday were less engaging, they were still entertaining. Video games and the computer age have opened some unwarranted door opening. Through these games children are exposed to more than just violence. They are exposed to everything that surrounds violence such as drugs, robbery, explicit language, and prostitution. Most violent video game’s dramatize negative propositions and emphasize killing people or animals, unlawful behaviors, the abuse of drugs and alcohol, disrespect for the law, sexual exploitation and violence toward women, sexual, and, foul language. Early exposure to this kind of explicit behavior and language will only lead to a life of unwanted events. Violent video games don't teach kids rightful importance. "If they shoot somebody in one of these games, they don't go to jail or get penalized in anyway; preferably they get akin to kids being less attentive and beneficial towards other children.

In conclusion, the premature aggression in children will always be believed to be linked with violence in video game. While some studies have proven that violent video game increase aggressions in children other have proven that aggressive children like aggressive entertainment. Game researchers have studied that children who play violent video game are less aggressive because they use the video games as a frustration outlet. According to federal crime statistics, the rate of juvenile violent crime in the United States is at a 30-year low. Researchers find that people serving time for violent crimes typically consume less media before committing their crimes than the average person in the general population. Many gamers believe that the moral scare over violent video games is doubly harmful. They believe that it has made parents to be more suspicious and hostile to many kids who already believe cut off from the system. There are several opinions on the subject of violent video games. Extreme gaming is dangerous for seven-year-olds and 47-year-olds. It can cause many problems from vision to social to anger. Though all ages enjoy the nature of video games they tend to affect the lives of young males. Video games can deprive children of social skills or they can promote them. Every case is difference but whatever the case is video games are not the healthiest habit. Instead of playing video games for hours children should pick up a book, draw of find an outside activity. There are many other sources of entertainment besides video games. Video game usage should be kept at a minimum of two hours a day. Children should focus on better opportunities that life can offer instead of violent video games.

References (2007, August 13) Game Over; screening the violent media that children are exposed to is a parent’s job, not the government. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com.

Violent video game effects on children and adolescents: theory, research and policy. (2009). Journal of youth and adolescence, 38(3), 483.

In Her Own Words: Children of Violence. (1998). The Filipino Express, 12(15), 11.

Kalning, K. (2010). Does game violence make teens aggressive. MSNBC.com. Retrieved from http://msnbc.msn.com/id/16099971/

Schulzke, M. (2010). Defending the morality of violent video games. Ethics and Information Technology, 12(2), 127.