Video Game Violence

Two newly released studies state that violent video games increase the violent thoughts and behavior of children- a discovery that should cause many parents to worry.

Due to the fact that video games are interactive, the countless hours that children spend in front of the computer screen "lay down an unconscious pattern for aggression" say researchers in the latest study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

"We have the tendency to want to believe we're not affected by the media, but we are," says Karen E. Dill, assistant professor of psychology at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC, one of the authors of the study. "What you consume becomes part of you, whether it's your [food] diet or the media diet."

Clinical Psychologist Elizabeth K. Carll of Centerport, NY says that the research is just now beginning to catch up to what psychologists have known for some time- kids who play violent video games are more aggressive. Adding that when a psychologist wants a patient to learn a new behavior, she'll suggest the patient imagine the new pattern of behavior and mentally rehearse it repeatedly, a behavior akin to the interactivity of the games, she states, "Rehearsal and practice enable us to get better at things, for better or worse."

Dill agrees, stating that players tend to replay the same bloody scenes and challenges over and over, reinforcing the aggressive scripts. Usually, they also pretend to be one of the characters, identifying with the violence and further blurring the line between fantasy and reality.

Dill continues by saying that in newer game versions, players can substitute pictures of people that they know for the targets in the game, and real places can take the place of imaginary ones. "You can practice you're shooting a guy you know at your high school," she says. "I'm not saying that all little boys who play violent video games are going to pick up guns and shoot someone, but some of them will."

Parents need to be aware of ratings (see chart below), and rent games to preview before buying them. Play the games with your children; if you feel they are too violent, do not purchase them. Select games that are mentally stimulating, not just violent. Limit your child's game playing time per day, and provide alternate ways for your child to spend time. Require that your child's homework and jobs be completed before playing, and discuss the content of the game with your child.

Video Game Ratings Chart

EC (Early Childhood) - Age 3+
KA (Kids to Adult) - Age 6+: Minimal violence, slapstick comedy, some crude language.
E (Everyone) - As of January 1, 1998, the new "Everyone" designation will replace the "Kids to Adult" rating.
T (Teens) - Age 13+: Violence, profanity, mild sexual themes.
M (Mature) - Age 17+: More intense violence, profanity, mature sexual themes.
A (Adult Only) - Adults only: due to graphic violence and sexual themes, not for persons under 18.
RP (Rating Pending) - Product has been submitted to the ESRB and is awaiting final rating.