Violent video games do not ruin your children, but it is good to discuss them

Do the children here know best? If so, why do parents still have a nagging suspicion that these games are harmful in a treacherous way?

Decades of research have not established a firm link between violence committed in games and violence committed in real life. Yet there are questions about the subtle effects that violent games have on developing minds. The questions became more urgent as the pandemic continued. U.S. consumers spent nearly $ 19 billion on video games in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 26% increase over the previous year, according to the NPD group. “Fortnite” and “Minecraft” were one of the top-selling games of the quarter.

On the one hand, video games were a saving grace during a time of little other social interaction. Yet we are still concerned about how all this time we spend on shooting, stabbing and sweeping friends, strangers and collisions will affect children.

A study published last month raised new questions about aggression and violent video games. Unlike previous studies, these teenagers followed teenagers for a long time. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that players with a constant moderate level of violent video games were more associated with higher levels of aggression than those who started playing a lot, but dropped out, or who were at low levels with a slight increase over time. played.

The authors concluded that ‘sustained violent play over time may be more predictable for long-term outcomes, as opposed to a high level of violent play that varies dramatically over time.’ However, they acknowledge the limitations on the study, including the fact that the aggression of the players themselves was reported.

“The research on video games is much debated and discussed, and most of the research is very short-term, so it’s hard for parents to know what to do,” said Sarah Coyne, lead author of the study. She suggests that parents consider several factors when deciding which games to let their children play. “I will look at their personality, how they are doing in life, who their friends are,” she said.

The study did not distinguish between cartoon-like violence and graphic violence. Most of the violent games that existed when the study 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 included a more refined version of violence that offers an alternative to bloody first-person-shooter games. ‘Fortnite’ has received a ‘T’ rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board, meaning it is considered suitable for teens, rather than an ‘M’, for adult gamers. It has given some parents more ease to allow even pre-teens to play it.

Several studies have found that cartoon violence for children is no different than violent, and some studies that specifically compare cartoon-like 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 children, or at best neutral? The consensus seems to be that neither cartoon-like nor realistic violence in games translates to real violence.

But that does not mean there is a risk. Dimitri Christakis, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, said parents should not worry about their children committing criminal acts as a result of violent video games, but rather about the more subtle consequences for their children. . psiges. He pointed to studies that have shown 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 defining thing,” he said.

Douglas Gentile, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University and co-author of a book, “Violent Videos Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy,” said he was concerned about the aggressive behavior in video games are rewarded. , and the impact it has on shaping players’ worldviews. In one of his studies, children who played both cartoon-like and realistic violent video games were more likely to explode an opponent with a loud noise. “The way you think changes the chances of the way you will act,” he said.

But what about the social, collaborative nature of many games? “The human brain is capable of learning many things at once,” Dr Gentile said. “If the game has aggressive elements, you will learn it, and if you work together, you will learn it too.”

Frustration can also be mistaken for aggression, says Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and research director at Take This, a mental health organization that is not profitable for gamers and game developers. “You can see your child hitting their mouse when they lose in ‘Fortnite,’ and it looks like aggression, but that’s probably the frustration of the competitive nature of the game,” she said.

She points out that although children show frustration and anger after playing video games, juvenile delinquency has decreased during the same period in which violent consumption of video games has increased. “The takeaway is that the kids are likely to be okay, no matter what they play, as long as it suits their age,” she said.

Dr. Coyne was amazed at one important finding in her study, which may comfort concerned parents. “We predicted that violent video games would have a long-term negative effect on empathy and pro-social behavior, and we did not find that,” she said.

What you can do

Here’s what to consider when deciding whether or not to let your kids play violent video games.

Consider the risk factors. Instead of 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’s exposure to domestic violence and gang crime are major risk factors.

Protective factors, such as having good friends and loving parents, are just as important to consider, said Dr. Gentile said. “For every risk factor, the chance of aggressive behavior increases, and for every protective factor, the chance 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. In ‘Minecraft’, for example, children can choose the ‘peaceful’ difficulty level, where they can play without encountering hostile crowds. 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. Do not underestimate the value of asking questions while watching your children play – or while they are playing with it. ‘Ask:’ Why did this character do this? “Why is it shown that way?” “If someone were to act like that at school, what would really happen?” ‘The dr. Gentile said. “When parents talk to their children about what they see and hear, it can mitigate almost all the negative consequences.”

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Write to Julie Jargon by [email protected]