secondary research

Media Violence

While some games have educational content, many of the most popular games emphasize negative themes and promote:

• The killing of people or animals
• The use and abuse of drugs and alcohol
• Criminal behaviour, disrespect for authority and the law
• Sexual exploitation and violence toward women
• Racial, sexual, and gender stereotypes
• Foul language and obscene gestures

Studies of children exposed to violent media have shown that they may become numb to violence, imitate the violence, and show more aggressive behaviour. Younger children and those with emotional, behavioural or learning problems may be more influenced by violent images.

Spending excessive time playing these games can lead to:

• Less time socializing with friends and family
• Poor social skills
• Time away from family time, school work, and other hobbies
• Lower grades
• Less reading
• Less exercise and becoming overweight
• Decreased sleep and poor-quality sleep
• Aggressive thoughts and behaviours

https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/Children-and-Video-Games-Playing-with-Violence-091.aspx

•               Over the past 30 years there has been extensive research on the relationship between televised violence and violent behavior among youth. Longitudinal, cross-sectional, and experimental studies have all confirmed this correlation. 

•               Televised violence and the presence of television in American households have increased steadily over the years. In 1950, only 10% of American homes had a television.

•               The typical American child will view more than 200,000 acts of violence, including more than 16,000 murders before age 18

•               Children spend on average 7 hours a day of media in general.

•               Violent video games increase violent thoughts, emotions physiological arousal and creates stress.

https://allpsych.com/journal/violentmedia/

·             Recent research has shown that connections between children playing violent video games can cause later aggressive behavioural problems. 

·             In retrospect studies have also shown a twelve percent increase in aggressive behaviour after watching violent television as well.

·             Research has also shown heavy viewers, which is four or more hours a day, put in less effort at school, have poorer reading skills, play less friendly with friends, have fewer hobbies and activities, and are more likely to be overweight.

·             An industry report estimates that 80% of the audience for the Call of Duty series is male, and 21% is aged 10-14. Going by the 18 rating on the last three entries, that means at least a fifth of the game’s vast audience shouldn’t be playing.

·             More than 90 per cent of children and teens play video games, and researchers say the majority of those games contain some type of violent content.

·             Studies at Middlesex University found that children became more aggressive the longer they played violent computer games. Children as young as four often play games which, if the images were in a film or video, would be against the law.

• Children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others.
• Children may be more fearful of the world around them.
• Children may be more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others.