Can Violent Video Games Really Affect Behavior
October 13, 2016
Video Games are constantly popping up at stores across the nation, especially violent ones. Kids love games such as Call of Duty, Doom, and Assassins Creeds. Because people play these games often, they begin to pick up traits from characters in the game without even realizing. Violent videos games cause behavior issues that can lead to delinquent minds and crime, cause aggression in children, and invite illnesses into people’s minds.
From my standpoint, violent video games link closely with child violence. By playing video games often, children begin to learn that violence is common and natural. Kids constantly sit in front of a screen fighting people who are supposed to be bad guys, but sometimes, kids forget who the bad guys are in real life and will start fighting their friends at school or some family members at home.
Video games can cause kids of all ages to exhibit increased aggression. A teenager’s behavior can be hugely affected through violence displayed in video games. A study done by Sutter Health found that as video games reward the gamers for doing something helpful like planting a garden, the teen will be influenced to become more helpful, but as Sutter Health’s research continues, “However, studies also show that video games with violent content are linked to more aggressive behavior in teens” (Sutter Health). Researchers are very concerned about the study because most games today contain a lot of violence (Sutter Health). Violent video games can affect young children greatly, too. Researchers found that there is a consistent relationship between the usage of violence in video games and childhood aggression (“APA Review…”). They also found that the effect of aggression, aggressive cognitions, and behavior have increased over time (“APA Review…”). However, other researchers believe that they confirmed that there is no apparent evidence between violence in games and children’s aggression (Radowitz). As The Telegraph writes, “But it concluded that any effects were small and that overall video games were at most a ‘statistically significant, yet minor, factor’ in shaping children’s behaviour” (Radowitz). I believe that video games have a link to child aggression because kids spend a lot of time playing video games that they pick up traits of the video game character without even realizing it.
Not only can violent video games affect one’s behavior, but it can also affect one’s brain. Studies find that violent video games can cause one to lose their self control (Bushman). One study asked a group of kids play a violent video game, and the group would play a nonviolent video game (Bushman). Laying beside the computer was a bowl of M&Ms (Bushman). The kids were allowed to eat as many as they wanted, but researchers warned them that high consumption in a short amount of time wasn’t good for them. The results found that those who ate more M&Ms were the kids who played the violent video games (Bushman). Violent video games also can lead to pathological gaming addictions. Addictions like these can lead to even more serious health matters (“Video Gaming Can Lead to Mental Health Problems”). The American Academy of Pediatrics identified that “Depression, anxiety, social phobias and lower school performance as likely outcomes of problem gaming” (“Video Gaming Can Lead to Mental Health Problems”). Another conclusion developed is that gamers feel better about themselves when playing a game because it gives them control. The good feeling then turns into an addiction (Oberg). Violence in video games doesn’t always affect the brain, but sometimes it’s just the game itself-with or without violence. The same article that discusses outcomes of gaming also claims that any video game has the power and does not specify the violence itself (“Video Gaming Can Lead to Mental Health Problems”). The first sentence in the article examines that “Pathological gaming, or video game addiction, has been associated with problems in youth” (“Video Gaming Can Lead to Mental Health Problems”).
To conclude, violent video games have huge effects on humans that can possibly lead to criminal behavior, give children aggression and even have certain effects on the brain and one’s mental health. Adam Lanza and Evan Ramsey are evidence that violent video games are linked to criminal behavior. Violent video games can also influence aggression in kids and teens behavior. In addition to behavioral issues, obsessive gaming-especially violent-can cause minor and major effects on one’s brain. To help this unaware issue there could be restrictions on the amount of violence a game contains. If the government can manage the violent content in a game there would be a smaller chance of criminals, children aggression can decrease giving a safe environment and lastly, mental health statuses would be a lot healthier.
Works Cited
“APA Review Confirms Link Between Playing Violent Video Games and Aggression.” American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, 13 Aug. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2015/08/violent-video-games.aspx>
Bushman, Brad J. “Violent Video Games Decrease Self-control.” Psychology Today. Health Profs.Com, 16 Jan. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-psyched/201401/violent-video-games-decrease-self-control>.
Oberg, Becky. “Link Between Violent Video Games and Mental Illness? | More Than Borderline – HealthyPlace.” More Than Borderline ». Healthy Place, 8 Oct. 2013. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/borderline/2013/10/is-there-a-link-between-violent-video-games-and-mental-illness/>.
Radowitz, John Van. “Study Finds That Violent Video Games May Be Linked to Aggressive Behaviour.” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/study-finds-that-violent-video-games-may-be-linked-to-aggressive-behaviour-10458614.html>.
“The Impact of Video Games.” The Impact of Video Games. Sutter Health, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/general/media-web/videogames.html#Impact of Videogames on Adolescents>.
“Video Gaming Can Lead to Mental Health Problems.” Video Gaming Can Lead to Mental Health Problems. American Academy of Pediatrics, 17 Jan. 2011. Web. 07 Apr. 2016. <https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/Video-Gaming-Can-Lead-to-Mental-Health-Problems.aspx>
Max • Dec 1, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Very one-sided as it doesn’t talk about the upsides such as these games can help people with poor vision as it requires fast reaction times via sight meaning that a person with bad vision can learn to pick things out from the background helping with daily tasks as they build memory for these kinds of actions.
Owen • Oct 25, 2016 at 8:08 am
I really like how well written this article was, but I think that the M&Ms test was a little stretched, but that wasn’t the writer’s fault. All and all, I liked the article and the opinion it was getting through
james • Oct 25, 2016 at 7:58 am
this article is very true in some ways. good descriptions and reosons why video games can affect behavier !great job!
Maggie • Oct 24, 2016 at 8:41 pm
This is a very nicely written story. I do agree that some violent game can cause a kid to do some bad things but, crime I think might be a little far. Any way the article is very good
Naod • Oct 24, 2016 at 5:58 pm
I only partially agree with the article reason being ,yes, there have been cases of violent games making people kill but many of the cases were changed because it was found out they had some mental disability not from games. While I play violent video games I don’t have things happen to me nor do my friends that also play violent video games
Truman • Oct 24, 2016 at 5:53 pm
I think that this might be scary for some people but violent video games can be fun. I say that violent video games are bad because there are some like swear words in the games and kids can swear when they are not so post to swear
Vincent • Oct 24, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I Think that the only reason some people might have these problems is because some kids are not fallowing the ESRB rating system. Also you could say the same things with movies and other media, but have you had any experience with violent video games and sereral studys have debunked this theory meny times before. I’m sorry but I would have to disagree.
Owen • Oct 24, 2016 at 4:49 pm
This is a really good article but you should show the perspective of the gamers.
Great job:)
Joe • Oct 24, 2016 at 4:36 pm
I don’t think video games could do things to you such as make people comit crime and steel but I do think it’s possible. My friends and I have played lots of violent games and I don’t feel any diffrent. These video games are basically the same as movies and REALITY. I think some games are scary and for older adiences but some are fun to play. I liked your article but it was alittle hard to read. REALITY IS MORE SCARY THAN GAMES.
Anna • Oct 24, 2016 at 4:06 pm
I agree that children can pick up aggressive tratesform video games but criminal activity I think is a little to much. Maybe if you grow up with violence around you can begin to use these trates. Good mod though. 😀
parker • Oct 24, 2016 at 3:33 pm
I loved how you explained a lot of reasons on how violent video games are bad for kids behavior and how they act. Also all the details were interesting.
Michael • Oct 23, 2016 at 7:10 pm
I can totally see the difference in my friends and I after we play these types of games. It is crazy how it can make one feel and act. Overall really good paper!
Cody • Oct 21, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Great job on using effective quotes. Over all awesome article.
Lily • Oct 21, 2016 at 10:48 am
I think you are definitely talking about a subject worth discusion. However, if you write about a topic that is very debatable you must show both sides of the argument.
Stella • Oct 21, 2016 at 10:44 am
This article gives a lot of information, it’s really good! I can’t belive that violent games really effect your brain too! I really enjoyed the detail about this article
Frankie • Oct 21, 2016 at 10:43 am
Good Articles. This makes us think more carefully about how games are affecting us before we play.
kacey • Oct 21, 2016 at 10:00 am
that is so true!! I didn’t know that before.
It’s very interesting, and i didn’t think video games had any effect on children and teenagers behavior.
🙂
Ian • Oct 21, 2016 at 9:21 am
Being an avid gamer myself, I would have to disagree that violent video games make children more likely to suffer lasting lasting mental effects, but I think that games should be much less violent.
Nice job!
Mathew • Oct 21, 2016 at 9:19 am
I don’t believe this, because there are also studies saying that violent video games don’t cause violence in kids.
Tre • Oct 21, 2016 at 9:19 am
I didn’t know that kids could pick so much violence because of war games. I wouldn’t of thought that it could lead to crime.
Dana • Oct 18, 2016 at 2:10 pm
People should stop playing violent video games.
Greta • Oct 18, 2016 at 2:02 pm
This is such a well written article. I enjoyed the the paragraph about the M&M.
matthew • Oct 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm
for some teens and kids the games are not as bad as for others the games are a issue.
Donovan Harwood • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:49 pm
great story :]
michael :) • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Good atical Ava! There are also mobile games that are vileont like Pixel Gun 3d World,Clash Of Clans (sort of),Clash Royale (little bit),and more. The most important thing is never do the stuff u do in the game(s) in really life!
Vincent • Oct 25, 2016 at 10:53 am
I do not think the clash of clans or clash royal are violent at all
Matthew • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:16 pm
I have to disagree with this article. I play many violent video games and none of this has happened to me.
Jack • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:16 pm
I know some people who play violent games and most of them aren’t violent or troubled. This was very interesting because I didn’t know that.
lily • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:16 pm
i think you did very good and i bet you put a lot of time & effort in that
audrey • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:15 pm
i think that this article could be a serious matter in the future. Also good article!
trixie • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:14 pm
i think that most of that is true, but would non-violent video games still lead to mental health problems? other than that, i learned something! 😉
audrey • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:14 pm
I think that this was an article that can be a serious matter. Also, great article!
isabella • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:13 pm
My aunt has always wondered about that and now I can tell her and that it is kind of bad.
Thank you for the article
Sam • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:13 pm
I think that playing these games may cause these effects,but playing these games will inspire kids to use there imagination.
Gabrielle • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:13 pm
I think that this is very true. I have found a difference to my sister because she plays violent video games
drew • Oct 18, 2016 at 1:11 pm
i think this was great but i think you can do beture