Select a region
So psychologists have finally confirmed that playing violent video games can link to aggressive behaviour. But hold on before you blame CoD and GTA for every ASBO.
A recent review of over 300 up to date studies into violent video games has labelled them as just one “risk factor” that can contribute to an increased aggressive attitude.
But, while the findings by the American Psychological Association (APA) have prompted a call for tighter parental control over what video games kids are playing, the team admits there isn’t enough evidence to conclude that the influence of violent games is solely responsible for driving young people towards crime.
The games, they say, are one way in which children are exposed to aggressive actions over examples of empathic and sociable behaviour, and that it is an “accumulation” of such factors that are likely to influence behaviour.
So what have we learned here?
Nothing much new, really, but because the research has gathered almost 10 years’ worth of evidence, it is a step towards being able to demonstrate a “consistent” link between the games and the development of antisocial behaviour.
Essentially, it gives APA a stronger footing from which to rally for official games rating systems that take into account the impact on the young player’s mental development, as they did at a meeting in Toronto last month. This would theoretically make it easier for parents to know more about what they are letting their children play.
But the picture is far from complete.
The APA pointed out that another factor to consider is pre-existing mental conditions, such as depression or delinquency, and how they mix with violent games.
Dr Mark Appelbaum, who chaired the APA task force, said: “What researchers need to do now is conduct studies that look at the effects of video game play in people at risk for aggression or violence due to a combination of risk factors.
“As with most areas of science, the picture presented by this research is more complex than is usually included in news coverage and other information prepared for the general public.”
In other words, the studies used in the research had a number of shortcomings. For example, they haven’t really looked into any differences between the behaviour of male and female gamers. Or into the effects of the games on children under 10. Or their actual impact over the course of a child’s development as a whole.
So there’s still some way to go before we are likely to start seeing kiddie-locks on the games rack.
In the meantime, make your own mind up over this list of some of the games most commonly recognised as the most violent on the shelves:
1. Grand Theft Auto V
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops
3. Carmaggedon
4. Mortal Kombat
5. The Darkness II
6. Manhunt
7. Postal
8. MadWorld
9. Dead Space
If you’re not much of a gamer and need a mental picture to help you understand the sort of violence we are talking about, one of the above was banned for leading the player through a journey described as “a training video for serial killers”.
Bedtime stories are not what they used to be.
