The Effects of Video Games on Violence

Violence in video games has been controversial for many years. With advances in technology, video games made progress in terms of ease of use and type. Technology makes video games extremely complex and realistic. This development has brought video games to multi-billion dollar industries. However, as the level of practicality rises, humans will also be adversely affected. Since the manufacture of violent video games, there was a controversy as to whether violent video games enhance player strength.

There is ample evidence that violent video games can increase aggression and even cause violence. Craig Anderson (2003) has an overall impact by reviewing all studies linking video games to risk factors, although there is some complicated evidence of the psychological impact of video game violence. The effects of video games, some smoking studies could not find an important link with lung cancer. However, using meta - analysis techniques in combination with all relevant empirical studies has five distinct effects that are fairly consistent. Violent video games are closely related to positive behavior, increased thought and emotion, increased physical arousal, and a reduction in social-aid (aid) behavior. (Anderson, 2003, Myths and Facts, Paragraph 1)

Despite thirty years of research on the effects of violent video games and computer games on children, it seems confusing. Does video game lead to increased aggression and violence? Is the video game likely to lead to violence, or is there already a tendency for already violent people to choose aggressive theme toys? The following is a summary of a comprehensive list of published studies, it basically raises the same problem - what is the impact of violent video games? Contrary to most of the articles you might find on this topic, the goal is simply to announce the research and to have the reader draw his own conclusions. There is no agenda here - just by reviewing the published research, the impact of violent computer games on children, adolescents and adults