Video Games and Violence: Examining the Relationship Between Gaming and Aggressive Behavior
Overview
This paper examines the ongoing debate regarding the relationship between video games and violence. While acknowledging both the educational benefits and potential harms of video games, the paper argues that there is insufficient evidence to directly causally link violent video games to aggressive behavior, suggesting instead that pre-existing violent tendencies may predict preference for violent games.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to the debate on video games and violence prevalence among youth
- Discussion of dual nature of video games as both educational tools and potential sources of harmful content
- Analysis of concerns raised by AAP and AACAP regarding behavioral mimicry and aggression
- Examination of causation versus correlation in violent behavior and gaming preferences
Preview
Video Games and Violence
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Video Games and Violence
For many years, there has been a significant debate on the relationship between video games and violence. Some people believe that video games can trigger real-world violence, while others are opposed to this concept. In recent years, playing video games has been popular among children, adolescents, and young adults worldwide. According to Maxwell (2019), more than 90% of teenagers aged between 12 and 17 are reported to have played some video games, with two-third of them having played action and adventure games that tend to contain violent content. In this sense, it is expected that the concept of the relationship between video games and violence/aggression is likely to remain a contentious issue, especially in the United States of America (U.S.).
Over the years, it has been challenging to link exposure to violent video games directly and increase aggressive behavior. To begin with, video games tend to act as a double-edged sword that has different effects on society. There are educational video games that can be used as teaching tools that are essential in learning processes. Subsequently, video games can be described as tools that will improve children and young people by teaching them concepts such as algebra, biology, photography, and computer programming, among others (Wright, 2018). Video games are also tools that encourage children and young people to persevere in mastering skills to navigate complex situations. Wright (2018) also argues that video games can enhance lives by promoting physical and mental activities.