Violent Video Games Don't Cause Violence, Says New Book
In the course of their research, the husband and wife team spoke with 1,200 middle-school children about their gaming habits and how gaming affects their social lives. The researchers found that gaming is actually a very social activity for most children, with friends frequently gaming together or talking with friends at school about gaming. They also found that fascination with violent games isn't limited to miscreant little boys -- the 'Grand Theft Auto' series was the second most popular game for the girls (despite it not being intended for minors).
However, they also found that kids who played M-rated games were actually more likely to get into fights than those who didn't, 51-percent vs. 28-percent. But, Olson and Kutner's findings didn't necessarily lead to blaming the games; instead, they concluded that the kids who are more likely to want to play those games probably have somewhat violent inclinations to begin with. More studies are still needed, according to the couple, but since you're not letting your kids play M-rated games anyay, you don't have to worry -- right? [Source: Reuters]
Filed under: Video Games
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
styles1107 @ May 17th 2008 12:19PM
This is a paid advertisement brought to you by the soulless monkeys at grand theft auto:
Carolyn Bond @ May 17th 2008 6:49PM
Thank you Styles, such advertisement is annoying.
butch @ May 17th 2008 7:40PM
what a crock.....my buddies 4yr. old son started punching me in the face while i was watching tv.....i said what the hell is going on??? my buddy said no big thing my son gets it from watching wrestling every sat. morning with me....i can give you 5 more exmaples of what video games to to kids.
Kevin @ May 30th 2008 2:28PM
thats not an example of video games in the first place.....get your facts straight. Kids are impressionable anyways in the first place so I could point out how your mom can cause violence in children. Power rangers had to be banned from schools because kids who showed up with the shirts or outfits always ended up punching other kids. If an adult shows a kid a choke hold, you can expect he is going to use it on a friend of his. If parent think that violent video games cause violence within their kids, then guess what, they need to make changes within their daily lives, not the industries. For one, cut sugar out of their diet, then monitor what they watch on television, and last DONT EXPOSE YOUR KIDS TO VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES. If you are so afraid of video games giving them violent mannerisms, then don't let them play them...
phillip @ May 17th 2008 7:59PM
It took yall this long..duh.
nmmalone @ May 17th 2008 8:13PM
I think that kids that play the violent video games and are seen exhibiting violence have some angry/violent aspect to their personality. That's why they like the violent video games, it enhances their violent perceptions of life.
Truthis @ May 17th 2008 10:45PM
What I find amazing is that games that show extremely violent behavior and put children in the "driver's seat" of a career criminal are perfectly legal and mostly accepted by Americans. Yet the same parents wouldn't dream of letting their children see an R rated movie in which there was sexual relations between normal adults implied. Showing a bare breast is reason for parental outrage, but cutting a breast off with a chainsaw is acceptable fun. What kind of sick society is America? ... and I single out America, because in some other parts of the world, violence is outlawed and sex is on broadcast television.
Julian @ May 17th 2008 11:18PM
Actually, "Truthis", M-rated games are not supposed to be played by children. That's why they are rated "mature", and say "ages 17+" on the box.
If a child IS playing something inappropriate, we can therefore assume that their parent/guardian either did not deem fit to look at what they were buying, or thought that it was appropriate for their child. In either case, the blame for any negative effects (assuming there are any) lies with the parents.
Think about it: If an infant blinds itself with a steak knife, does not the blame lie with the negligent person who left the knife where it might become a 'toy'? Or is it the knife company which shouldn't make their products so sharp?
I agree, however, that censoring nudity more harshly than gore is perverse.
Seth A @ May 18th 2008 2:31AM
I wouldn't say that completely. LIke I played GTA 4 for like 5 hours and then went out to eat and I saw a cop car on the street and part of me wanted to hit it and speed away. Lol Same with Pedestrians. I mean, it gives you the thought, but pair common sense. Either way, it does give a distorted sense of reality at times. And now days with HD and such things look so real. Either way, I wouldn't say it CAUSES anything, but it obviously puts the image in the mind. But yeah, any parent who gets their kid this game is a horrible parent, its rated M for a reason, after 17 you are able to know what is reality and what is a game and have common sense not to hit as many people as you can when driving. Much younger that sense gets a bit distorted.
terrimcgoo @ May 18th 2008 10:11AM
I have a question for people who do not believe violent video games affect the thinking or behavior of people. What do you suppose is causing kids to be more violent these days and not have a problem toting a gun into a school or mall and shooting down a bunch of people? What is desensitizing them to such violence or giving them the ideas of what to do? I realize part of the deterioration of our society is related to breakdown of the family but what is sparking this violence? I believe seeing and doing these things in games does distort thinking but I am curious about people who do not believe this...why do they suppose these things are happening more often? Any thoughts?
sweetchuckd @ May 18th 2008 2:09PM
I read an article about a boy who went on a driving rampage and claimed he was inspired by Grand Theft Auto. I found the story on http://detentionslip.org. (Try looking on page 2)
todd edward kiester @ May 18th 2008 5:06PM
so, if games cause violence, then obviously before them there was no violence, right? oh, wait, there has been death, dismemberment, genocide, and general random violence as long as we have been we, and there is no end in sight. assign blame where it belongs. we are born violent animals, (don't believe it, watch 3-4 year olds playing when no adult are playing referee.)and learn to control our tendencies. that is why minors aren't supposed to be playing them. you have to learn to control yourself before you can let go. the responsibility and blame lies with the parents. i don't have kids, and i am not willing to sacrifice my freedoms to assuage you of your guilt.
Sebastion @ May 18th 2008 6:06PM
What this "couple" needs to do is start raising their own children, introduce them to these violent games then...evaluate, study and then "write"...
I really like how they go an interview "those" who have no idea of "life"....
Bill Triebel @ May 19th 2008 4:17AM
terrimcgoo-I think a lot of it,besides the games,are drugs that,even though they have been linked to violent or suicidal behavior,are still being prescribed to more and more kids.Remember Columbine and the other school shooting?It was downplayed and covered up,but they were both taking a form of prozac.And the meds for their favorite made-up disease,ADD,don't help there.Did you know that Adderol(for ADD)is nothing more than methamphetimine in tablet form?It's no wonder they get confused.Medicating our children with dangerous drugs just so big pharma can make more billions.
Grace @ May 20th 2008 4:17PM
What a crock! Obviously this couple doesn't read the newspapers. A man down here in Florida killed his neighbor over a PS3! And videogames do cause aggression in children.....then again it's easy to make facts say whatever you want....