By: Autumn Hill
Some studies have shown that people who commit violent
crimes have been influenced by video games. Other studies disagree and say that
violence is always a choice. The debate is endless, but, either way, there are
definitely some pros and cons to playing video games. Here are the “Pros” and
“Cons” in regards to violent video games, according to the group ProCon.org:
Cons:
1. Video
games often reward players for simulating violence, and thus enhance the
learning of violent behaviors. Studies suggest that when violence is rewarded
in video games, players exhibit increased aggressive behavior compared to
players of video games where violence is punished.
2. Increasing
reports of bullying can be partially attributed to the popularity of violent
video games. The 2008 study Grand Theft Childhood reported that 60% of middle
school boys who played at least one Mature-rated game hit or beat up someone,
compared to 39% of boys that did not play Mature-rated games.
3. When
youth view violence in video games, they are more likely to fear becoming a
victim of acts of violence. According to a 2000 joint statement by six leading
national medical associations including the American Medical Association and
American Psychological Association, this escalated fear results in youth not
trusting others and taking violent self-protective measures.
4. Violent
video games require active participation, repetition, and identification with
the violent character. With new game controllers allowing more physical
interaction, the immersive and interactive characteristics of video games can
increase the likelihood of youth violence.
5. Several
studies in both the United States and Japan have shown that, controlling for
prior aggression, children who played more violent video games during the beginning
of the school year showed more aggression than their peers later in the school
year.
Pros:
1. Violent
video games provide healthy and safe opportunities for children to virtually
explore rules and consequences of violent actions. Violent games also allow
youth to experiment with issues such as war, violence and death without
real-world consequences.
2. Exposure
to violent video games has not been shown to be predictive of violent behavior
or crime. Any link found between video games and violence is best explained by
other variables such as exposure to family violence and aggressive personality.
3. Violent
juvenile crime in the United States has been declining as violent video game
popularity has increased. The arrest rate for juvenile murders has fallen 71.9%
between 1995 and 2008. The arrest rate for all juvenile violent crimes has
declined 49.3%. In this same period, video game sales have more than
quadrupled.
4. A 2004 US
Secret Service review of previous school-based attacks found that one-eighth of
attackers exhibited an interest in violent video games, less than the rate of
interest attackers showed in violent movies, books, and violence in their own
writings. The report did not find a relationship between playing violent video
games and school shootings.
5. Video
game players understand they are playing a game. Their ability to distinguish
between fantasy and reality prevents them from emulating video game violence in
real life.
Ninety-seven percent of 12-17 year olds in the United States
played video games in 2008, thus fueling an $11.7 billion domestic video game
industry. In 2008, 10 of the top 20 best-selling video games in the US
contained violence. Violent video games have been blamed for school shootings,
increases in bullying, crime, and violence towards women. Critics argue that
these games desensitize players to violence, reward players for simulating
violence, and teach children that violence is an acceptable way to resolve
conflicts. Supporters argue that violence is a choice, not something that’s
created by a simple game. “The problem is that people are looking for a
yes-or-no answer about the role of video games in violence, when there is
none,” says Brad Buschman from www.cnn.com.
