Violent video games don’t hurt your kids – but it’s good to talk about them

Do the children know best here? If so, why do parents still have an overwhelming suspicion that these games are harmful in an insidious way?

Decades of research have not established a strong link between violence in games and violence in real life. However, questions remain about the subtle effects that violent games have on developing minds. The questions became more pressing as the pandemic continued. US consumers spent nearly $ 19 billion on video games in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 26% over the previous year, according to the NPD group. “Fortnite” and “Minecraft” were among the best-selling games of the quarter.

On the one hand, video games have been a saving grace in a time of little other social interaction. However, we still worry about how all this time spent shooting, stabbing and hitting friends, strangers and robots alike will affect children.

A study published last month raised new questions about aggression and violent video games. Unlike previous studies, it has tracked teenage players for a decade. Researchers at Brigham Young University found that players with a consistently moderate level of violent video game play were more prone to higher levels of aggression than those who started playing a lot but narrowed down or played at levels. low, with slight increases over time.

The authors concluded that “violent play sustained over time may be more predictive of long-term results, as opposed to violent play that fluctuates dramatically over time.” However, they acknowledge the limitations of the study, including the fact that the players’ aggression was self-reported.

“Video game research is highly contested and debated, and most research is short-term, so it’s hard for parents to know what to do,” said Sarah Coyne, the study’s lead author. She suggests that parents consider several factors when determining what kind of games to let their children play. “I would look at their personality, their way of life, who their friends are,” she said.

The study did not distinguish between cartoon violence and graphic violence. Most of the violent games that existed when the study began were more graphic in nature, such as “Call of Duty”, “Grand Theft Auto” and “Gears of War”. In recent years, games such as “Fortnite” have introduced a more violent version of violence, offering an alternative to bloody first-person shooter games. “Fortnite” received an “T” rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board, which means it is considered suitable for teenagers, rather than an “M” for mature players. This has given some parents more comfort in allowing even pre-teens to play it.

Numerous studies have found that cartoon violence is no different for children than realistic-looking violence, and some studies specifically comparing cartoon violence and graphic violence in video games have found that the impact on aggression is similar.

So, does it mean that violence of any kind in video games is bad for children or, at best, neutral? The consensus seems to be that neither the comic or realistic violence in games translates into real-world violence.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no risk. Dimitri Christakis, director of the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, said parents should not be concerned that their children are committing crimes as a result of violent video games. but rather by their more subtle impact. psychic. He pointed out 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 determining factor,” he said.

Douglas Gentile, a professor of psychology at Iowa State University and co-author of a book, “The Effects of Violent Video Games on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy,” said he is concerned about the aggressive behavior that is rewarded in video games. . and the impact it has on shaping the players’ worldview. In one of his studies, children who played both animated and realistic video games were more likely to want to blow up 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, cooperative nature of many games? “The human brain is able to learn a lot of things at once,” said Dr. Gentile. “If the game has aggressive elements, you will learn them and if you practice cooperation, you will learn that too.”

Frustration can also be confused with aggression, said Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and research director for Take This, a nonprofit mental health organization for gamers and game developers. “You might see your child slamming his mouse when he loses in ‘Fortnite’ and that seems aggressive, but it’s more likely to be frustrated because of the competitive nature of the game,” she said.

She points out that while some children show frustration and anger after playing video games, juvenile delinquency declined at the same time as violent video game use increased. “Consider that children will be fine, no matter what they play, as long as it’s age-appropriate,” she said.

Dr. Coyne was surprised by a major finding in her study that can provide comfort to worried parents. “I predicted that violent video games would have a negative long-term effect on empathy and pro-social behavior, and I didn’t find that,” she said.

What can you do

Here’s what to consider when deciding whether to let your children play violent video games.

Consider the risk factors. Instead of making a choice based solely on a game’s graphics or rating, analyze your child’s risk factors for aggressive behavior. Exposure to domestic violence and the delinquency of colleagues are higher risk factors, according to Dr. Kowert.

Protective factors, such as good friends and loving parents, are just as important to consider, Dr. Gentile said. “For each risk factor, the chances of aggressive behavior increase, and for each protection factor, the odds decrease,” 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 each other or against each other.

Emphasize critical thinking. Don’t underestimate the value of asking questions while watching your kids play – or while playing with them. “He asks, ‘Why did this character do that?’ “Why does it look like that?” “At school, if someone acted like that, what would really happen?” “Dr. Gentile said. “When parents talk to their children about what they see and hear, it can alleviate almost all the negative effects.”

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Write to Julie Jargon at [email protected]