The Effects of Violent Video Games

Kathryn Doyle states in her article, "Violent video games may be tied to aggressive thoughts," that there is a new study suggesting a link between violent video games and violent thoughts and behavior among children. Essentially, the article suggests that children who often play violent video games are more likely to show more aggression later on, and more likely to believe hitting is acceptable, than children who don't play them. Unfortunately, the article misses some key points and gives too much credit to video games for the change in behavior.

The article says that a child's brain can be affected by repeatedly playing certain video games, just like a body can be affected by repeatedly eating certain kinds of food. Furthermore, Doyle says that parental supervision does not seem to affect the association. The study includes talking to children from ages eight to seventeen about how much time they spend playing video games, how much violence is in the video games, and is then followed by asking them questions such as if they would hit another person when provoked, or if it was a morally sound thing to do. The relationship between violence and video games appears to be universal among all types of people.

The one thing that the article misses entirely is that people play video games that interest them. It does not matter who you are, you will not play something that you do not like. From the various apps people play on their phone to the more developed games you might find on a console, somehow others forget that what people play does not affect them as much as it more clearly shows their personality. If someone picks up a game involving robbing banks and shooting cops, they do it because they think it would be a fun thing to pla...

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...ong and will not be likely to perform them in real life.

It is important to understand that, while video games can influence the way a child thinks or acts, it will not make them suddenly become violent. If a parent implements deep morals into their child, they will likely never go away. What a child is taught to believe and feel early on is what they will probably believe and feel all the way through their life, given that they are based upon implemented morals. After all, video games, along with any other type of media, can only affect one's morals in areas where they do not already have them set in stone. Doyle gives too much power to the game, and ultimately dismisses the more prominent causes of violence in youth.

Works Cited

Doyle, Kathryn. "Violent Video Games May Be Tied to Aggressive Thoughts." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 24 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.