To Play or Not to Play?

The debate about violent video games has been going on for ages. There is a divide in the way people perceive games. Are games harmless, perhaps even cathartic, as many people who grew up playing them believe? Or are they teaching kids to be more aggressive?
A content analysis showed that in 73% of the games, acts of violence are rewarded, with extra points or advancement to the next level of the game, rather than being followed with negative consequences, such as pain, injury, or imprisonment.
Findings of several researchers suggest that children and adolescents who are exposed to violent video and other interactive games subsequently exhibit more aggressive behavior and perceive themselves as aggressive. According to these findings, American Psychological Association adopted a resolution at their annual convention, that took place in Washington from 18th till 21st of August, calling for a reduction in the amount of violent content in such games, as well as monitoring of the negative consequences associated with acts of violence depicted in the games.

“Video games may be more damaging than just watching violent TV shows and movies because with video games, they’re actually participating,” Dr. Kieffer, assistant professor of psychology at Saint Leo University in Florida, said in an interview.
He added that physicians can help by raising awareness of the campaign’s goals, encouraging parents to be aware of the hours per week that their child spends playing video games and to talk with their children about how in real life violence is associated with negative consequences.

You can read more at the press release of American Psychological Association…