Assignment 2-1 Weekly Written Analysis 2

Many people believe that video games are the cause of many problems with children today. Many are concerned about the impact the different types of video games portray on young impressionable minds. The major concern is whether or not violent video games really do have an effect on a child’s aggression, both short term and long term. Parents are concerned that their children will feel that aggression played in a video game will carry over to real world experiences when presented with similar situations in life. Children’s minds are very impressionable, and the impact of violence on television and video games, compounded with violence they see on the news and in schools can seriously affect their aggression.

            There have been many studies that try to prove that video games with violence trigger more aggression in children from 4^th grade to 12^th grade. A study was done by Gentile, Lynch, Linder & Walsh states that, “that teens who play violent video games for extended periods of time tend to be more aggressive, are more prone to confrontation with their teachers, may engage in fights with their peers, see a decline in school achievements (Norcia, N/A).” The concern and logic is that because video games are interactive, they get the children more involved, whereas television is more passive as just viewing. I think it just depends on the particular child at hand, because although they are exposed to violence in video games, television and movies are just as violent even though they don’t require interaction. Children are exposed to first hand violence in schools and in their neighborhoods, but they are not focusing on that variable. Although I do believe that violent video games can trigger more aggressive behavior in some children, I do not believe it to be true across the board.

            Overall, violent video games can be described as a minimal factor in children becoming more aggressive. Just because the game is interactive and you have control over it, unlike television, does not necessarily mean it is the key factor in a child acquiring an aggressive behavior pattern later in life. With technology becoming more advanced, I do understand that the reality is more life-like, it is no different than what is played on the news, or being seen by children in schools. Many other factors have a bigger impact on children acquiring an aggressive personality.

Bibliography

Norcia, A. (N/A). The Impact of Video Games On Children. Retrieved 10 October, 2010, from http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.html#What impact does playing video games have on children or adolescents?