During the Columbine killings, violent videogames were listed as a reason why Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went on a killing spree. Jerald Block, a US psychiatrist, accounted their behaviour to the fact that both were fans of Doom and Wolfenstein 3D.
It is a popular theory that exposing youths to violent videogames may breed violence within them. Supporters of this theory suggest that youths become desensitized to violence and would think nothing of causing harm to another human being.
However in recent times, an opposing theory has surfaced. This theory proposes that videogames may not only have no effect on kids, but may even help them cope with the stresses of life.
“For the world of adolescents, [reality has] mostly gotten more stressful and bleaker,” said writer Gerald Jones, citing the dire economy, stressed-out parents, the increasing demands of public education and two lengthy wars in the Middle East. “This is not a cheerful time to be coming of age in America. The need for escape, the need for fantasies of potency, and the need for a community of peers is greater than it’s been in a long time.”
Are Violent Games Good for You Then?
Many youths use violence in videogames to blow off steam and vent out their frustrations by harmless means.
“[I get] an adrenaline rush during the game, and the need to win, but afterwards it’s just fine,” said sixteen-year-old Evan Jones from the San Francisco Bay Area. “I see violent videogames as an outlet to aggression and stress”.
Jones played his first violent videogame when he was 3.
Other findings on the effects of violent videogames in teens include research by Mike Ward, who studies violent videogames and communities for the University of Texas at Arlington.
He recently co-authored a study with Scott Cunningham and Benjamin Engelstätter that found that districts with more videogame stores had lower juvenile violent-crime rates. In another study with similar findings, Ward went on to theorize that teens inclined to unruly behavior may play violent videogames instead of getting aggressive in real life.
Ultimately, this is just an alternative point of view to the popular notion that violent videogames are purely bad. Parents should bear in mind that no two children are alike.
Each person is wired differently. For some, violent videogames may spur them to violence. For others, it may be an effective form of catharsis - an avenue to vent their frustrations and hurts. Parents should take into account such findings as they bring their children up, so as to exercise their judgement as to what is best for them.
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