Video game violence, sweet violence.
The Australian government has published a literature review containing an up to date summary of research into the impact of playing violent video games, and has concluded that the link between video games and violence is “contested and inconclusive.” Below are some other points that they have raised.
- There is stronger evidence of short-term VVG effects than of long-term effects.
- The possibility that third variables (like aggressive personality, family and peer influence, socio-economic status) are behind the effect has not been well explored.
- Researchers who argue that violent video games cause aggression have not engaged with or disproved alternative theories propagated by their critics.
- There is little evidence that violent video games have a greater impact than other violent media.
Now I finally have something to use against people who believe games are “evil” and make everyone violent.
