Around 73% of American kids age 2-17 played video games in 2019, a 6% increase over 2018. Video games accounted for 17% of kids’ entertainment time and 11% of their entertainment spending. The global video game industry was worth contributing $159.3 billion in 2020, a 9.3% increase of 9.3% from 2019.
The debate or the demand for banning violent video games have risen from the fact that there are several negative effects of violent video games, which are too severe to ignore. These games provoke aggression, and make people aggressive and short tempered. Secondly, the violence, blood, etc., shown in these games can have a negative effect on children and can even lead to insomnia. Video games are addictive and can keep children engaged for a long time, which when denied can lead to restlessness and irritation.
One of the most dangerous consequences of video games is that sometimes children try to imitate the act in real life which can be dangerous as well as fatal. This was commonly observed in case of children who played games related to wrestling, etc. Most children are not mature enough to understand that real life situations are different from what they depict in games and one needs to think before acting in real life, which is not encouraged in video games.
Now, talking about positive effects of video games, people argue that video games can encourage team work which can really be helpful in the real life. Similarly, if one wishes to win at any game, he will have to play with concentration which is again applicable in the real life scenario. Lastly, those who are pro video games also argue that children and even adults let off their aggression and anger out through these games. This is one of the safest method of letting out anger as it does not harm anyone. Therefore, these are also claimed positive effects of these games.
If the games were to be banned, the economy of the US will get hampered significantly as more than half the population invests in video games every year. Secondly, not everyone who plays the games turn out a threat to the society. Therefore, banning the games completely is not possible as of now. However, if you, as a parent are bothered about the effects of video games on children, you should look to it that your child spends only limited amount of time playing these games.
Secondly, parents should also see to it that the child plays only those games that are actually meant for children in that age group. For e.g., a game meant for an 11 year old does not contain as much violence as it may contain in a game for an 18 year old. Similarly, video games meant for adults should be played only by adults. Lastly, parents should also make their children understand that academics are more important than games, and hence, children should not ignore it.
If proper measures are taken to curb the negative effects, video games can turn out to be good forms of entertainment.>
In 1993, public outcry following the release of violent video games Mortal Kombat and Night Trap prompted Congress to hold hearings on regulating the sale of video games. During the hearings, California Attorney General Dan Lungren testified that violent video games have “a desensitizing impact on young, impressionable minds.” Threatened with the creation of a federal regulatory commission, the video game industry voluntarily established the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) on Sep. 1, 1994 to create a ratings system. Based on the video game’s content, the ESRB assigns one of the following ratings: “Early Childhood,” “Everyone,” “Everyone 10+,” “Teen,” “Mature,” “Adults Only,” or “Rating Pending” (only for use in advertising for games not yet rated). In a Pew Research Center 2008 survey, 50% of boys and 14% of girls aged 12-17 listed a game with a “Mature” or “Adults Only” rating in their current top three favorite games.
An Aug. 2015 report from the American Psychological Association determined that playing violent video games is linked to increased aggression, but it did not find sufficient evidence of a link between the games and increased violence. The organization reaffirmed this position in 2020: “There is insufficient scientific evidence to support a causal link between violent video games and violent behavior… [T]he new task force report reaffirms that there is a small, reliable association between violent video game use and aggressive outcomes, such as yelling and pushing. However, these research findings are difficult to extend to more violent outcomes.”
Violent Video Games like Mortal Kombat do not actually cause Violence. So do Violent Movies and Tv Shows. But they do cause aggression. So, next time you play a video game, Dont overthink it and just play. So, I hope you have fun and win your next Fortnite match! (or Any game I guess)