The video game industry is worth billions of dollars worldwide. There has been fierce competition to make the most realistic and interactive games as the business continually expands with new gaming systems and updated technologies. Many of these games contain explicit acts of violence, ranging from war simulations to vehicle thefts. Many video games are for youngsters as their primary audiences.
In most popular games, you can find violent notions and images of people or animals being killed. In addition, sexual exploitation, drug use, and criminal activity are rewarding features in several video games. While some parents argue that video games have a negligible impact on their children, numerous experts caution that violent games can be hazardous to children's mental health and have negative psychological effects.
While a few studies have said there is no link between video games and violence, most studies have demonstrated a correlation between video game violence and real-world aggression. According to the task committee, violent video games cause diminished empathy and prosocial behavior. The same statement admits insufficient data to link violent video games to criminal behavior.
Violent video games offer a platform for learning and practising aggressive conflict resolution strategies. Playing a violent video game appears to increase aggression through priming aggressive ideas. Longer-term impacts are expected to be long-lasting, as the player learns and performs new aggression-related scripts that become increasingly accessible in real-life conflict situations.
One important source of concern is the dynamic nature of the video game's learning environment. That is, children play out the scenarios in the first person as game characters. This medium is possibly more damaging than exposure to violent television and movies, which also significantly affect aggression and violence.
Reduced exposure to violent media may assist if a child develops aggressive behavior. Even if you haven't noticed any symptoms of aggressiveness, it's still a good idea to keep an eye on your child’s video gaming routine. It's possible that watching violent acts will desensitise your child to violent behavior.
It's important to remember that media use isn't just about the amount of screen time; it's also about the quality of the material viewed.
FAQs
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Is it true that video games impact aggressive behavior?
While playing violent video games may not always lead to violent or aggressive conduct; however, it might raise the risk of such behavior. Indeed, as Dr. Olson points out, violent video games may be linked to bullying, identified as a risk factor for more serious violent conduct.
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Is there a link between video games and children's behavior?
Excessive video gaming can lead to distancing from the family, lower grades and academics, poor social skills, less time spent on hobbies, obesity, aggressive attitudes and behaviors, etc.
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Is there any way to improve things once a child has already been exposed to violent video games?
While it greatly depends on how much the exposure was, reducing further exposure to violent media, coupled with therapy, can help.
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Are video games the only thing that can impact children in a way that leads to violence?
Even exposure to violent content in films, music videos, animation, etc., can also lead to children developing aggressive behaviors.
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Why is the impact more in the USA than any other country if videogames are to blame?
There are two possible reasons for this; first, the % of the American population playing video games is higher than that of many other countries. Second, American children have a lot of exposure to aggressive video games and other violent content such as movies, series, etc.
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