Video games are a form of entertainment that children love. It is a great escape for them and gives them a sense of freedom. They also provide great levels of challenge and different lessons can be learned. This can also help with real-life situations. The hot topic conversation of how children’s behavior is impacted by games with violence has been big in the mainstream media. But why do we just assume that violent games have such a negative effect on them when they have access to all forms of violence daily (on shows, movies, social media, and in the news)?
By the age of 18, the average American will witness 200,000 acts of violence on television. In the 1990s, a study was done on television violence and there were no consequences for it in most television series:
- 75% depicted no physical harm
- 87% depicted no judgment about the morality of the act
- 90% depicted no psychological trauma
Next, many studies have shown that players use gaming as a way to help reduce stress and relax. Different studies were done on gamers with similar results:
- Another study in Iran including 444 children examined their gaming hours per week and focused on some mental health effects. Their results found that children who played a moderate amount of games (seven to 10 hours per week) were the happiest. Both those who played excessively or not at all reported the poorest mental health. Boys who played excessively violent video games reported more aggressive behaviors than those who didn’t, such as name-calling, teasing, and threatening other kids.
- In a study done in Japan, Singapore, and the US with different age groups of kids who played pro-social games, where they have to work with others in order to succeed. They found that those who play pro-social games also have increased pro-social behavior in real life.
In conclusion, boys love fighting games and they play to have a good time. All of the people and monsters they are defeating in these games are a great metaphor for overcoming life’s struggles. It is easy to assume that violent video games have a negative effect on children and increase violent behavior. However, there hasn’t been too much evidence to prove that. The pros of playing these games have outweighed the cons. Just be mindful of how much your kids are playing and remember there is no such thing as having too much fun.
Iaquinta, Sal. “Video Games and Children: Do Parents Need to Worry?” Marin Independent Journal, Marin Independent Journal, 21 June 2021, https://www.marinij.com/2021/06/20/video-games-and-children-do-parents-need-to-worry/.