Violent video games will not ruin your kids, but it is good to discuss them

Do the children know best here? If so, why do parents still have the nagging suspicion that these games are somehow insidiously harmful?

Decades of research have not established a clear link between violence in games and violence in real life. Still, questions remain about the subtle effects that violent games have on developing minds. The questions have become more urgent as the pandemic continues. According to the NPD Group, US consumers spent nearly $ 19 billion on video games in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 26% increase from the same period last year. “Fortnite” and “Minecraft” were among the best-selling games in the quarter.

On the one hand, video games were a rescue in a time of little other social interaction. Yet we still worry about the consequences of all the time we spend shooting, stabbing, and clubbing friends, strangers and bots, on children.

A study published last month has raised new questions about aggression and violent video games. Unlike previous studies, it followed adolescent gamers for a decade. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that players with consistently moderate levels of violent video game play were more associated with higher aggression levels than those who started playing a lot but gradually tapered off, or who played at low levels with slight increases over time.

The authors concluded that “sustained violent gameplay over time may be more predictive of long-term results as opposed to high violent gameplay that fluctuates dramatically over time.” However, they recognize the limitations of the study, including the fact that the players’ own aggression was self-reported.

“The video game study is very controversial and debated and most of the research is very short-lived, so it’s difficult for parents to know what to do,” said Sarah Coyne, lead author of the study. She suggests that parents consider several factors when deciding what kind of games to let their kids play. “I would look at their personalities, how they are doing in life, who their friends are,” she said.

The study did not differentiate between cartoonish violence and graphic violence. Most of the violent games that existed when the investigation began were of a more graphic nature, such as ‘Call of Duty’, ‘Grand Theft Auto’ and ‘Gears of War’. In recent years, games like “Fortnite” have shown a more sanitized version of violence, an alternative to gory first-person shooter games. “Fortnite” has been rated “T” by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, meaning it is considered suitable for teenagers, rather than an “M” for adult players. That has given some parents more comfort by allowing even pre-teens to play it.

Numerous studies have shown that cartoon violence is no different for children from realistic-looking violence, and some studies that specifically compare cartoonish and graphic violence in video games have found that the impact on aggression is similar.

So does this mean that any kind of violence in video games is bad for kids, or neutral at best? The consensus seems to be that neither cartoonish nor realistic violence in games translates to real violence.

But that doesn’t mean there is no risk at all. Dimitri Christakis, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, said parents should not be concerned that their children are committing criminal acts as a result of playing violent video games, but rather the more subtle consequences for their psyches. He pointed to studies showing that people are less empathetic and helpful to others after playing violent games or watching violent movies. “There are small to moderate effects on aggressive thoughts and actions, but violent video games are not the only determining factor,” he said.

Douglas Gentile, professor of psychology at Iowa State University and co-author of a book, “Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy,” said he is concerned about the aggressive behavior that is being rewarded in video games, and the impact it has on players’ worldviews. In one of his studies, children who played both cartoonish and realistic violent video games were more likely to blow up an opponent with a loud noise. “The way you think shifts the likelihood of you behaving,” he said.

But what about the social, cooperative nature of many games? “The human brain is capable of learning many things at once,” said Dr. Gentile. “When the game contains aggressive elements, you learn them, and when you practice cooperation, you learn that too.”

Frustration can also be mistaken for aggression, says Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and research director at Take This, a nonprofit mental health organization for gamers and game developers. “You might see your kid slam the mouse when they lose in ‘Fortnite’ and that looks like aggression, but it’s more likely the frustration of the competitive nature of the game,” she said.

She points out that while some children show frustration and anger after playing video games, juvenile delinquency has declined during the same period that the use of violent video games has increased. “The takeaway is that the kids will probably be fine no matter what they play, as long as it suits their age,” she said.

Dr. Coyne was surprised by an important finding in her study, which may bring comfort to concerned parents. “We predicted that playing violent video games would have a long-term negative effect on empathy and pro-social behavior, and we didn’t find that,” she said.

What you can do

Here’s what to consider when deciding whether to let your kids play violent video games.

Consider the risk factors. Rather than making a choice based solely on the graphics or rating of a game, look at your child’s risk factors for aggressive behavior. According to Dr. Kowert, home violence exposure and peer delinquency are greater risk factors.

Protective factors, such as having good friends and loving parents, are just as important to consider, said Dr. Gentile. “For each risk factor, the probability of aggressive behavior increases, and for each protective factor, the probability decreases,” he said.

Study the nuances of the game. Not all violent games are the same, and even within games there are different ways to play. For example, in ‘Minecraft’ kids can choose the ‘peaceful’ difficulty setting, where they can play without encountering hostile mobs. Some games can be played alone or with others, and in some multiplayer games, people can choose to play with or against each other.

Emphasize critical thinking. Don’t underestimate the value of asking questions while you watch your kids play – or while you play with them. “Question: ‘Why did this character do that?’ “Why is it displayed like this?” “If someone behaved like that in school, what would really happen?” Dr. Gentile said. “When parents talk to their children about what they see and hear, it can reduce almost all negative effects.”

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Write to Julie Jargon at [email protected]