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Question: Violent video games effect bahvior?

(Posted by: Skylar on 2010-03-09 22:42:25)

So I have seen many articles on how violent video games can cause violent behavior... is it possible that they have it backwards? maybe violent kids choose to play violent video games? I know I'm not a violent person, and I have tried many violent games, but never really took a big interest in them... Im looking for an anser to my question, not a blame game :p scientifically ther is a quarrilation between violent kids, and violent games... thats a proven fact, however, my qustion is, is their study and thinking backwards!?

Posted by: Michael H on 2010-03-09, 23:49:17

Most of the time they don't. Although violent video games can make thoughts more violent, most people don't act on those thoughts. For a video game to cause someone to commit real life violence, a combination of risk factors would need to be in place. These can be mental health issues, overly aggressive behavior, economic and social background, and many other things. Violent video games can actually reduce violence. They provide a way for people to release their violent or aggressive urges in a harmless environment. Many people find playing them can be a very effective way of releasing stress. And people that want to actually do something violent can do so without any real life consequences. People, mostly politicians and activists, often connect school shootings and other violent acts to video games. Many school shooters did have an interest in violent video games, but there are millions of other people who also like them. A tiny portion of these people are school shooters. Almost every school shooter acted the way they did for very complex reasons; mental health was the main reason for most or all of them. Seung Hui Cho, the person responsible for the Virginia Tech massacre of April 2007 (the deadliest school shooting in history), did not have any interest in video games. He did it because he had extreme mental health issues and social problems, along with more complicated motives that I won't explain here.

Posted by: iThink on 2010-03-09, 22:46:09

Ever notice how its always parents who blame video games, movies, music and whatever else they can for kids bad behavior? This is meant to distract from their lousy parenting. Bad parenting is the cause of bad behavior, don't let anyone tell you differently. I am a parent.

Posted by: Circus Duck on 2010-03-09, 22:46:43

You said violent kids choose to play violent video games ,so it is the children choose it ,not the video games choose them. I think someone who has violence-prone will more easily affected by violent video games

Posted by: Help needed on 2010-03-09, 22:59:15

I agree with iThink. There are A LOT of lousy parents out there they ARE to blame. Not video games. The only thing is that it might be true. Most of the time if the parents are crazy well, guess what? The kids come out crazy as well! They just like playing the blame game. lol Nice question.

Posted by: stangace20 on 2010-03-09, 23:00:56

Cause most articles are about 12 yr olds not being able to handle a game meant for older players, and the clueless/ careless parents trying to shift blame (from them) to the game companies. Cause last time I checked there aren't many 12 yr olds who have credit cards

Posted by: Dont get Infected on 2010-03-09, 23:07:42

Ive been playing violent videogames since duck hunt on the Nintendo when i was 5. before that me and my friends would play with toy guns and shoot at eachother. not once did i act in violence because of a videogame. only fights ive been in were boxing matches with my friends which were just for fun with a set of rules or actual fights in which im defending myself. only fight ive done where i wasnt defending myself i was just pissed off and under the influence of alcohol. not once have i wanted to shoot someone and not once have i wanted to really kill someone. people just need to understand the difference between the fake world and the real world and they will be fine.