Problem of Violent Video Games

Violent video games bring millions of people around the world entertainment, and social interaction through the internet connecting them with other gamers, who play the same game. Unfortunately, violence in video games can lead to violent and bad behavior in real life. Are these violent video games making today's generation of young kids and teens more prone to have a violent side? Many gamers forget the idea that these games are made for fun only. Multiple studies have taken place surrounding this idea, giving key points to both sides of the topic. There have been many studies based around violence in video games, whether they cause high blood pressure, aggressive behavior or violent reactions. A study has proved that yes, these violent games are causing aggressive behavior, but it's based on how the gameplay of the game is and not due to the violence. Other studies have found that video games cause children to fail school, which leads to violent behavior. Violent videos games can lead to aggressive behavior, failing grades, and secluding one's self in social settings.

         Playing violent videos can cause a person to become adapt a more aggressive behavior. Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior. Playing violent video games is proven to increase the likelihood of becoming a bully. Dr. Olsen points out that violent video games may be directly related to bullying, which researchers have found to be a risk factor for more violent behavior (Hutchison). Violent video games require active participation and identification with violent characters, which reinforces violent behavior (Capps). Young children are more likely to confuse fantasy violence with real world violence, and without a framework for ethical decision making, they may mimic the actions they see in these violent video games (Capps) 

 There have been 71 mass shootings between 1982 and August 2015, seven of which involved shooters of 18 or younger. Katherine Newman, PhD, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University wrote: Millions of people play video games full of fistfights, blazing guns, and body slams  (Capps). Another aggressive behavior that violent video games cause is yelling. Most kids, when they play these games and lose, are more likely to yell. This leads to yelling outside of the time that they are playing games. In video games that portray violence, obscene language is normally used (Hutchison). This teaches children inappropriate words and they are more likely to think it is okay to say these things. Majority of the studies shown in articles, video games enhance the use of aggressive behavior and inappropriate language. 

         Playing violent videos too much can hinder a student's academic success in many ways. A new study found young boys who receive their first video games system don't progress as quickly in school as boys who don't own such devices (Dewar). Not only did the kids who got the game systems at a younger age spend less time doing homework, they also performed worse on standardized tests of reading and writing four months later. Moreover, their teachers were more likely to report academic problems, and parents were confused as to what was causing the lack of good grades. Low and behold, it was the video games that they were allowing their children to spend countless hours playing.  This shows in schools today, the kids who spend most of their time playing video games instead of focusing on school tend to do a lot worse. Frequent use of multi-player games may put youth at higher risk for poor reading performance, perhaps because kids replace reading time with the excitement of multi-player games (Dewar). Playing video games is often associated in our society with poor academic performance. The amount of time that people spend on recreational games can have effects on them, regardless of specific game features. Studies have demonstrated that amount of time playing games predicts poorer school performance. Theoretically, this effect is likely due to displacement of other academically beneficial activities (Anderson). This anecdotal idea is supported by some research. A 2000 study found a negative correlation between GPA and time spent playing video games (Anderson & Dill, 2000). The correlation was relatively small. Time alone accounted for a 4% variance in GPA, yet the findings are significant (Craton). All of these studies show evidence that playing violent video games can lead to failure of a child.

The use of violent video games can cause an individual to shelter themselves in social settings. Video game culture has a reputation for being a nerdy indoor hobby. Gamers sit in their rooms or their mothers' basements staring at the TV day in and day out, never going outside to socialize with their peers (Clark). Among married people, up to 50% have a strain on their marriage due to the addiction of video games (Clark). Mostly men in a relationship are the ones that are addicted to video games and are lacking social skills. This is why relationships are having tension. Men are focusing more on video games while forgetting about others, even the ones they said vows too, which can cause serious problems in a relationship or a marriage (Cheimeka). Most people who play video games are only interested in talking about their game. Others are not as interested in their games, therefore, do not want to associate themselves. The lack of social interacting due to obsessive gaming will have long-term consequences on how they display themselves to the public. A study found that the thought processes required by computer games were too simple to stimulate crucial areas of the brain, leading to underdevelopment and consequent behavioral problems such as isolation (Matthews). most people addicted to online gaming have trouble to interact socially outside their home with other which cause those health issues. An addicted teenager will lack social skills which will make it much more difficult for them to make friends and enjoy interacting with others. Days go by and now that teenager will become an Adult and will be lacking really important skills that will be used for the real world. Skills that could be used for an interview in a workplace or to invest time in a relationship (Chiemeka). Video games can easily make you addicted to playing and make you zone out everything around you and that's why people tend to not focus on others and enjoy being lonely. This issue has been going on for several years and plans to become even worse especially while new and more exciting video game consoles keep producing.

In conclusion, violent videos games rarely lead  to violent and aggressive nature.  However , playing videos games for extended periods of time or playing violent games can lead to other  issues. Video gaming  should be time restricted since it has a addictive nature  and leads physiological effects on a person if played too much. Video gaming can cause failing grades, social issues and aggressive behavior to can lead to long term effects on a person. Video gaming by no means is bad, video gaming is fun and good source of entertainment but should be used in  moderation. Overall , video gaming or playing violent video games should be restricted to only certain amounts of time and enforce stricter ratings on games.   

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