Violent videogames have always spawned debate over their influence on behavior
and crime levels. Recently, the US debate surrounding violent videogames has
been resurfacing due to a string of mass shootings such as those in Newtown, CT
and Aurora, CO. News networks such as FOX and CNN aired stories warning
families of the dangers of violent videogames, while the videogame industry
cried out in disgust at the thought of videogames inciting acts of homicide.
University of Maryland student Mark Tulchinsky agrees with the videogame
industry and explains why he believes videogames should not be blamed for
violent outbursts.
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| This is "Doom," a violent game mentioned by the two shooters in the Columbine shooting |
Psychology Has Found a Link Between Playing a Violent Game and Being a Violent Person
The link between violent games and violent actions has been debated for years, and became incredibly important back in 1999 during the aftermath of the Columbine shooting. University of Maryland Psychology Professor Kent Norman explains that the Columbine shooting were the first event to propel the debate to the US Congress, and that the debate reemerges with every major violent shooting.
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| Kent Norman, Psychology Professor at the University of Maryland |
Professor Norman explains that videogame psychology studies have been conducted over the last couple decades. Craig Anderson and Brad Bushman are well-known for discovering a very clear link between playing violent videogames and acting more aggressive. Violent videogames have also been linked to desensitization to violence and increased tolerance for blood and gore. However, the videogame industry argues that these studies only show correlation, and not causation. As Professor Norman says, the videogame industry believes that violent people play violent videogames, and that it is not the videogames that cause violent behavior. However, the media tries to alert the public of the dangers of violent videogames and violent media. Psychologists know that there is no scientific way to prove causation, so there can never be any hardcore evidence to say that violent videogames cause violent outbursts. Unfortunately, the media continues to trumpet the dangers of violent videogames and continues to tie videogames to mass shootings without much proof.
The Government Debates Restricting Guns but does not
Restrict Videogames
So why does the media cover stories about violent videogames
after violent shootings? Professor Norman explains that after major tragedies,
society and media always looks for something to blame. While some turned to the
issue of guns and gun control, others looked at the issue with violent
videogames and violent media.
In the wake of violent shootings like Aurora and Newtown,
citizens and politicians alike decided it was time to make changes to our laws
to prevent any future tragedies. Gun control became a major topic on the legislative
floor, and it continues to be an issue today. But what has happened in the
regulation of violent videogames? In 2005, California passed a law banning the
sale of violent videogames to minors. This law was challenged by a coalition of
major videogame companies called the Entertainment Software Association. In the
US Supreme Court case Brown v. EMA, the Court upheld in a 7-2 decision that
violent videogames are protected as free speech under the first amendment of
the US Constitution. Even with large amounts of correlative evidence suggesting
that violent videogames could be dangerous, the Court opted to protect first
amendment rights and allowed violent videogames to be sold to minors. This
means that the sale or distribution of violent videogames could not be
restricted by any government in the US. This makes defending young minds from
the possible dangers of videogame violence reliant on families and parents
rather than the government. Whether or not this may change in the future has
yet to be seen, but with the debate of gun control raging in Washington there
are definitely ways that videogame restriction could return to the Capitol.
Videogames will Persist in our Society, and the Debate on Violent Games will Run its Course
For a time, TV shows were criticized for their abundance of violence. Then, movies underwent the same scrutiny for adult themes and fierce imagery. However, these icons of media eventually resolved their own debates, with organizations like the Mobile Picture Association of America rating movies, and the Federal Communications Commission rating TV shows. Professor Norman explains that these days, violent videogames take much criticism today due to being the up-and-comer in media.
Yes, there exists a psychological link that demonstrates the possible dangers of violent videogames. However, it is also true that the Supreme Court has severely limited the US Government’s ability to restrict or prohibit violence in videogames. With videogames continuing to be a grand force in the realm of media, at least there is solace in the work of organizations like the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The ESRB analyzes videogames before they hit the shelves and rates their appropriateness for children, much like a TV showing rating or a movie rating. The ESRB also devotes time toward educating families about the potential risks of violent videogames, and demonstrating the importance of a videogame rating system. With the work of the ESRB, violent videogames can become a subdued influence in today’s society, and the media will not have to blame major tragedies on the existence of violence in games.
Violence is a Cultural Issue and We Need To Work Together to Better Our Culture
Violence in videogames has become a staple in the gaming industry. However, when tragedy strikes, some blame the cultural influence that videogames have had over the past couple decades. Psychology studies have shown that videogames can be dangerous, but since videogames are an article of free speech, the government cannot inhibit their development in any way. It now falls on the public to educate itself, and recognize that hazards exist when exposing oneself to violent media. If we as a society can limit our immense contact with violence, then maybe we can help take society in a better direction, free of homicidal tragedies.
Videogames will Persist in our Society, and the Debate on Violent Games will Run its Course
For a time, TV shows were criticized for their abundance of violence. Then, movies underwent the same scrutiny for adult themes and fierce imagery. However, these icons of media eventually resolved their own debates, with organizations like the Mobile Picture Association of America rating movies, and the Federal Communications Commission rating TV shows. Professor Norman explains that these days, violent videogames take much criticism today due to being the up-and-comer in media.
Yes, there exists a psychological link that demonstrates the possible dangers of violent videogames. However, it is also true that the Supreme Court has severely limited the US Government’s ability to restrict or prohibit violence in videogames. With videogames continuing to be a grand force in the realm of media, at least there is solace in the work of organizations like the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The ESRB analyzes videogames before they hit the shelves and rates their appropriateness for children, much like a TV showing rating or a movie rating. The ESRB also devotes time toward educating families about the potential risks of violent videogames, and demonstrating the importance of a videogame rating system. With the work of the ESRB, violent videogames can become a subdued influence in today’s society, and the media will not have to blame major tragedies on the existence of violence in games.
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| Angry Birds, pictured above, is a "violent videogame" that is far too prevalent in our society. |
Violence is a Cultural Issue and We Need To Work Together to Better Our Culture
Violence in videogames has become a staple in the gaming industry. However, when tragedy strikes, some blame the cultural influence that videogames have had over the past couple decades. Psychology studies have shown that videogames can be dangerous, but since videogames are an article of free speech, the government cannot inhibit their development in any way. It now falls on the public to educate itself, and recognize that hazards exist when exposing oneself to violent media. If we as a society can limit our immense contact with violence, then maybe we can help take society in a better direction, free of homicidal tragedies.
