Effect of Video Games on the Behavior of Children

Aggression

• A 2004 study published in the "Journal of Adolescence," a cross-disciplinary, academic publication focusing on the psychological development of children and adolescents, found a distinct correlation between a child's exposure to violent video games and hostility in adolescents. The study found that adolescents who play more violent video games were more likely to get into physical fights and arguments with teachers. Furthermore, adolescents who had both a high hostility rating and were exposed to high levels of video game violence were the most likely to get into altercations.

Academics

• Furthermore, the study found that students who spent the most time playing video games on average reported lower grades than those who spent less time playing video games. The study accounted for a "displacement hypothesis," which essentially suggests that the amount of time spent playing video games simply replaces time spent on academics, so it is important to examine video game play in the context of other activities, such as watching television or reading for pleasure.

Limitations

• The 2004 study, like many others, is limited by its correlational, rather than causal, nature; therefore, the study cannot clearly answer the question of whether violent video games cause aggression, or that aggressive children are predisposed to violent media. The study cites other papers that suggest the relationship between violent video games and violent children is "bidirectional." In other words, more hostile children prefer more violent video games, and the electronic violence reinforces their hostility, putting them at greater risk for more aggressive behavior in the real world.

Considerations

• Violent video games not only affected aggressive adolescents, according to the study, but students with lower hostility ratings, who had the highest exposure to violent video games were more likely to be involved in physical altercations than aggressive students with the least exposure to violent video games.

Expert Insight

• The study recommends approaching the issue from a "risk factor perspective." Though video game violence can lead to aggression, it is one of a slew of other factors. Children with a high level of hostility are more likely to get into fights than other children, and this risk is compounded by greater exposure to violent media. Parental involvement in video game play seems to negate the aggression factor and have a positive effect on students' grades. Those students who reported parental limitations on video game play exhibited better performance in school and were less likely to be involved in physical fights or arguments with their teachers.