Video games' effects on Violent and Anti-social behaviors in children

**Mr. Nerfect** · 05-06-2009, 02:39 AM

As people have said, there is no proven cause and effect. If you were asking me, though, I would say that violent behaviours and anti-social tendencies might be attracted more to violent video games, but that they know the difference between reality and a video game. They're just time-bombs, and if anything, violent video games might give them more of an outlet for their aggression.

I don't think video games have a more negative effect than other media, though. Books leave a lot up to the imagination, for example. A violent book would really stretch the visceral imagination of a sociopath, and give them "ideas." Books don't get the same kind of criticism, though.

In society, books are seen as being a "smart" and "responsible" thing, and very rarely target huge amounts of criticism, unless they contain material for children that religious groups find inappropriate. You know, kids should be readying The Bible, and not Harry Potter? Despite the legitimate craftmanship that goes into constructing them, video games are not yet seen as a legitimate art form. That makes them a far more easier scapegoat than books, and even movies or music. A lot of that might be because of the interactive properties of video games. You actually press a button to shoot a character in a video game, whereas in a book it is all part of the "storytelling" without input or encouragement from a viewer.

All these forms can attract people with violent or anti-social attributes, but I don't think they cause them.

05-06-2009, 02:39 AM	#1
Mr. Nerfect Posts: 61,531	As people have said, there is no proven cause and effect. If you were asking me, though, I would say that violent behaviours and anti-social tendencies might be attracted more to violent video games, but that they know the difference between reality and a video game. They're just time-bombs, and if anything, violent video games might give them more of an outlet for their aggression. I don't think video games have a more negative effect than other media, though. Books leave a lot up to the imagination, for example. A violent book would really stretch the visceral imagination of a sociopath, and give them "ideas." Books don't get the same kind of criticism, though. In society, books are seen as being a "smart" and "responsible" thing, and very rarely target huge amounts of criticism, unless they contain material for children that religious groups find inappropriate. You know, kids should be readying The Bible, and not Harry Potter? Despite the legitimate craftmanship that goes into constructing them, video games are not yet seen as a legitimate art form. That makes them a far more easier scapegoat than books, and even movies or music. A lot of that might be because of the interactive properties of video games. You actually press a button to shoot a character in a video game, whereas in a book it is all part of the "storytelling" without input or encouragement from a viewer. All these forms can attract people with violent or anti-social attributes, but I don't think they cause them.