“We don’t benefit from ignorance. We don’t benefit from not knowing the science of this epidemic of violence.” Obama said. “Congress should fund research into the effects violent video games have on young minds.”
Only a month after the Newtown, CT tragedy I was pleased to hear the President’s plan today to decrease gun violence and his steadfast effort to improve the safety of our communities by decreasing violence, death, and suffering from firearms. Delighted to hear that the government is looking to ensure that it’s safe to talk about firearm safety in the exam room (at a federal level) and also that he’s implored Congress to study the effects of video games on young minds. That being said, we do know a bit about the effects of video games on young minds. An American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2009 Media Violence statement noted, “The strength of the correlation between media violence and aggressive behavior found on meta-analysis is greater than that of calcium intake and bone mass, lead ingestion and lower IQ, condom non-use and sexually acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection, or environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer—associations clinicians accept and on which preventive medicine is based without question.”
To be clear, the $10 million that Obama is granting the CDC to investigate the effects of violent video games on our children is not a ton of money. And their tone, according to Stephan Dinan of The Washington Times places more responsibility in our hands — “But overall, the White House said that while limiting guns is the role of the government, controlling what Americans see in movies and games is best left to parents.”
As parents and pediatricians, community members and mentors, and American citizens, there are things we can do now to improve our children’s exposure to and absorption of violence.
Thoughts On Children’s Massive Exposure to Violence
- Data finds that witnessing violent acts in the media (in a game, TV, or video) can contribute to aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares, and fear of being harmed. Research finds, “Consistent and significant associations between media exposure and increases in aggression and violence have been found in American and cross-cultural studies; in field experiments, laboratory experiments, cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal studies and with children, teens, and young adults.
- We need to know more about what video games do to our brains. That being said, when video games reward killing of humans in more and more realistic ways, they may teach children to associate pleasure with the suffering or killing of others. This just can’t be a good way to spend hours a day as a developing human. More research will help us understand this better yet previous research has found that first-person-shooting experiences desensitize and divorce us from the act of killing.
- Ages matters. Children 8 and under have a difficult time sorting out fantasy from fiction. Don’t allow young children access to or let them witness violent games that involve shooting and killing. As recently as this week, an online app branded with the NRA name was released online advertised for children 4 years and up. Due to public outcry, 2 days after it the app launch developers changed recommended age to 12 years and older. My opinion: game makers may not be looking out for your child.
- We need to consider following the rating of video games more aggressively. Parents can insist a child is 17 years to play a 17 and up game.
- Children 8-18 spend more than 6 hours a day using entertainment media (TV,computer, video, movies, radio, music). Consider limiting children’s time with screens to the recommended 2 hours or less. If that’s exceedingly difficult, take baby steps. Step one: consider limiting time with violent video games today. Get them out of the house — don’t allow teens to play them online. The majority of 4th to 12th grade students report playing games with an ESRB rating of “M” for Mature (recommended only for those over age 17). Further, 78% of boys under age 17 report owning M-rated games.
- By 18, an average child has seen 200,000 acts of violence on TV alone. Watch television with your children when you can and turn it off when it gets gnarly.
- Exposure to violent media can have lasting effects. Exposure to violence can potentially lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, sleep trouble and nightmares. Work to turn off the television 2 hours before bed to help children sleep. If they have nightmares, are anxious or depressed, or are suffering from signs of increasing stress, talk with their doctor. Talk with your children and teens about creating a “media diet”—a fair way for them to watch media in a balanced way. You can help restrict violent media. Your children really do care what you think.
What Parents Need To Know:
- Violent video games may change your child’s perception of aggression and may desensitize them to violent acts.
- Play games before your children buy or download them. Know what your children play online, what they play at home, and then let them know your reflections.
- Observe and follow video games ratings. Use Common Sense Media as a resource for looking up and reviewing video, movies, and games. Common Sense Media has an app I like, too.
- Set limits. Especially for online gaming.
- Have kids play video games together, not alone.
- Think about a healthy “media diet.” Strive to reduce media after dinner (in the 2 hours before bed) and work to help your children find a bit of balance with video games, TV viewing, movies, and online videos.
Lori T says
I get frustrated when I see articles like this.
I’m a mother, but I also work in the video game industry. It’s frustrating that any time something like this happens that the spotlight focuses most brightly on video games, rather than media as a whole. I do tend to think that exposure to violence in any form desensitizes children, and adults, to it. Anything seen or done enough becomes familiar over time. The first time you ride a roller coaster is thrilling, the fifth time it’s lost that initial intensity.
I’ve worked for a few video game companies, and I will say they have all taken the ESRB rating system very seriously. There is a clear rating system, and games are held to it, so I think it’s misleading to suggest that video game companies don’t care about kids, or a ratings system.
I think, as with most things, the onus of deciding if something is appropriate for a kid falls to the parent. I completely agree parents should know what their kids are watching, reading and playing. I know it’s hard when everyone is so busy, but it’s the only way to be sure. For example I might not want my kid to watch Bambi or The Lion King because those have a violent death of a parent, but I would be ok with Finding Nemo or My Neighbor Totoro because everyone ends up ok. Other parents might feel differently, and all of them are rated G.
In short I don’t necessarily disagree with the intent of what you write, but I think pointing the finger at the video game industry is an easy out. It’s a complex issue, one that needs study, on ALL forms of media.
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Thanks for reading this and commenting, Lori. I’m so appreciative as I don’t make or play many video games and value your insight.
I think you’re right–if I was only pointing one finger at the video gaming industry I agree it’s an easy out. Not really trying to point fingers, and as you mention, I think the onus is on parents (hence why I included the White House comment) and provided the tips for parents.
Violent video games are just one course of violence children are exposed to. Part of the reason I included stats on acts of violence on TV and screen viewing in general.
Even Bond movies are more violent today than they were… A comment published in JAMA Pediatrics in Dec 2012:
Further, your point about G rated movies and parents’ variant opinions of what is “ok” and what isn’t ok is well taken. That’s why I like Common Sense Media—it provides a more in-depth look at the issues that go into how the movie or video game/app plays out and potentially why the rating a movie received got it’s mark. Then parents can decide if they each video/app/movie meets their own standards.
All that being said, I don’t think developers of apps and videogames are always looking out for children. The NRA app just a current and hyperbolic example. But there is data to show that some (NOT ALL) game developers target younger audiences in their advertising than the age-group for which the game is rated. (looking for data source on this — will re-comment if I’m incorrect).
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Hi Lori,
I found some info. Here’s information on marketing video games to children from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
https://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/09/youthviol.shtm
Vic Strasburger, M.D. says
Lori: I’m sorry you feel that we’re too hard on you and the industry, but this is an industry that makes billions of dollars a year (more than Hollywood) and feels comfortable marketing first-person shooter video games to children and adolescents. Many are rated T (Teen) when they should be rated M or AO. The military uses variants of these games to teach new recruits how to shoot, so yes, they probably do play a small role in all of these mass shootings (the Norway killer trained on them). At the very least, we are ALL desensitized by all of this media violence — which may be one reason why we haven’t done anything about all of the mass shootings. The industry can do so much better than this.
Vic Strasburger, M.D.
Julie says
An opinion from Dr. Wendy about toy guns would be useful unless she has already blogged about it. I used to have a no toy gun rule until my own son started making them out of everything from toast to sticks. I have since let up with the thinking that if I withhold them they will be that much more alluring and we do have conversations constantly about how the real thing is very very dangerous. (Much like a real car, unlike a toy car, is very dangerous as well if used incorrectly. A gun of course has the sole purpose of inflicting harm, which I do tell him as well) And we role play what to do at playdates if a friend wants to play with a toy gun to make sure to check with an adult to make sure it is, in fact, a toy and if that friend want to show real guns to say no and tell an adult etc. Also lots of rules about how to play with toy guns properly (no shooting or pointing at people for example and saying “you are dead!”) Because like it or not guns are here to stay in America so I don’t feel as if withholding them is the best idea since they are going to be a part of his world in one way shape or form. Am I on the wrong track?
Amelia says
It is too bad that all parents are not involved in their children’s lives. As a parent of many children I am grateful that our house was one that all the children’s friends gathered at. Conversation and family time is one thing we stressed in our home. We also have the computer in a very open place where everyone can see what is being played or viewed. This is vital to see what your children and their friends are doing. Parents are the ones who most times buy the games and should have some control over what is being brought into the home. Like for my 3 year old I have found some great farming games online that she loves to play. I like playing with her too and have seen the older children interact with her. We can’t control every thing a child does but we can keep a good eye on what they are doing in our own homes. Make your home one that they congregate at. If we don’t do it no one else will either.
Sean Damble says
Hi,
I believe that there is too strict of a focus on violent video games bring the problem. I am a teen (I hope you take my view seriously) but I believe that violent video games are only a small portion of the problem. I believe that the main problem is parents not having their kids participate it sports or extracurricular activities. The reason I say this is because my friends and I play violent video games. None of us would be considered the “violent group”. We all play sports and i also know other people who I am not very close with who are in extra curricular activities that are not violent due to this. Also another idea to reduce the possibility of becoming violent is throwing in some other games every once in a while. I am a huge fan of sports games (MLB, FIFA, MADDEN, ETC…). By playing these games it throws in a different genre to help reduce the view on violence. I hope my view is taken seriously and not just laughed at because I am a teen (17).
-Thank You.
Alyssa W says
Hi there! I am creating a Lincoln-Douglas debate over how video games affect society and I have a question regarding one of the bullet points. There was one talking about a group of 4th-12th graders playing underage games. What survey was that from? I’m just asking because I’ll be citing this website and knowing my opponent, she will ask what survey it was from. Thank you for your help!