Contrary to what various studies have suggested so far, there is no evidence establishing a link between violence in video games and aggressive behavior in real life.
- Contrary to popular belief, no link was found between playing violent video games and violent behavior towards other people in real life.
- Young players, however, may exhibit restless behavior after playing and, for example, destroy objects.
This is a recurring discourse since the Columbine shootings in the United States in 1999, and which resurfaces in the public debate with each mass killing: their authors are also lovers of violent video games. This suggests that these games would be a “trigger” to violent acts.
In 2013, United States President Barack Obama demanded that the federal government fund more research on video games and violence.
However, according to a new study by researchers from the City University of London and published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organizationthere is no evidence that violent video games actually induce gamers to behave violently in the real world.
No acts of violence towards other people
To reach this conclusion, Dr. Agne Suziedelyte, associate professor in the Department of Economics and lead author, used data from the United States and examined the effects of violent video games on two types of violence: aggression against other people and the destruction of objects or property. The study focused on boys aged 8 to 18, who were more likely to play violent video games.
Using econometric methods that identify plausible causal effects of violent video games on violence, she found no evidence that violence against other people increases after the release of a new violent video game. Parents, however, reported that children were more likely to destroy objects after playing violent video games.
“Taken together, these results suggest that violent video games may agitate children, but that agitation does not translate into violence against other people – which is the type of violence we are most concerned about”says Agne Suziedelyte.
“One likely explanation for my findings is that video games are typically played at home, where opportunities for violence are fewer. violence, who may be particularly attracted to violent video games.” This is why the “policies that impose restrictions on the sale of video games to minors are unlikely to reduce violence”.
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