Connection+to+Violence

=>> The link between Computer games and Violence = Return to homepage

A recent research study tested adolescents who played non-violent video games and violent video games. The results showed that those who played violent video games increased activity in the amygdala, which is involved in emotional arousal. || Still after 40 years the argument on violent media effects and violent video games are still being debated. The exciting nature of computer games have increased in popularity amongst children. A results of a research study showed that children between the age of 7 and 17 play games for 8 hours a week. It was also shown that 79% of Americans play video games on a regular basis.Most of the exciting and thrilling games these days have become more and more violent, and are targeted at younger audiences. Adults have become uncomfortable with the thought of their children playing violent video games, and many believe that violent video games produced violent behaviour. The Current research studies have lead people to debate whether or not there is a connection between violence and video games. Many people believe that violent computer games produce violent behavior. Adults, especially believe that children should not be involved in playing video games because some contain detrimental information such as:
 * [[image:Violent.jpg]] || //This picture shows the effect of those who played non-violent games and those who played violent games.//
 * * graphic violence
 * substance abuse
 * drug use/addiction
 * social propaganda
 * crime
 * nudity
 * sexual themes
 * profanity || Many games, such as //Grand Theft Auto//, //Mortal Kombat// encourage and reward players to steal and kill pedestrians. This is what caused much controversy amongst violent games.

While many agree with the violence in games, there are some people who believe that there is no such link between violence and computer games, as video games will only make children more violent if they already have a tendency towards aggression, a new study showed. A study done by Swinburne University of Technology showed that 11 to 15 out of 120 children, that were prone to agression were more likely to be aggressive after playing violent video games.

Though some people believe that violent video games produce violent behaviours in children, others believe that children prone to agression were more likely to be aggresive after playing violent video games, and that violent video games did not produce such behaviour.

The way to combat the fact that children are becoming more and more violent because of video games, is to have stricter ratings, which only allow children of certain ages to buy/rent games that are more detrimental than others. This will stop younger children getting their hands on violent games that they should not be seeing. Also, games should stop encouraging and rewarding players to do wrong deeds. ||

Bibliography: http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Most-kids-unaffected-by-violent-games/2007/04/01/1175366055463.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_controversy