Playing
video games for leisure has steadily gained global popularity
amongst children and adults alike over recent years. However, the violence
depicted in many games, which are played by millions of children globally, has
led to a long-standing debate on whether or not they make children more violent
and aggressive.
اضافة اعلان
Many studies have
linked violent video games to real-life violence; however, other studies show
no credible link between the two.
Looking at the
statistics
A 2020 report published by
DFC Intelligence estimated that by mid-2020,
there were nearly 3.1 billion video game consumers globally — around 40 percent
of the world’s population. Another report showed that approximately 8.4 percent
of children and teenagers are addicted to gaming, 11–12 percent are boys, and
6-7 percent are girls.
There are no reported
studies on the amount of Jordanian youth who play video games. However, a 2018
study conducted in the
MENA region reported that 7 in 10 of the youngest
nationals play video games, with males playing more than females. The
likelihood of gaming increases with further education.
Approximately 8.4 percent of children and teenagers are addicted to gaming, 11–12 percent are boys, and 6-7 percent are girls.
Shooter games such as
Fortnite and
Call of Duty are the most popular types of video games amongst all
players, including children.
Internet Gaming
Disorder
Due to the rise in video gaming addiction over the past decade, Internet
Gaming Disorder (IGD) was newly identified under Section III of the fifth
edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
It is listed as a condition that should warrant further clinical research and
experience to officially be considered a formal disorder.
Some symptoms of IGD
are preoccupation with gaming, experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety
and irritability, the inability to reduce playing time, loss of interest in
other activities, the use of gaming to relieve negative moods, and deceiving
others about the amount of time spent on gaming.
Several studies have
found that IGD is comorbid with other mental health issues, specifically
personal and social functioning impairment.
Due to how
compulsively people are playing video games, levels of impairment or distress
have become more widely reported, and statistics are only increasing with each
year. It is not unlikely that this condition — which is endangering academic
and job functioning — might officially be considered a diagnosable disorder.
An observational
study done in Jordan that looked at the patterns and predictors of IGD in
Jordanian youth found that 19 percent of gamers — mostly male students and
unemployed adults — are potential cases of IGD. The same study found that IGD
is increasingly being diagnosed or could be diagnosed among both genders and
presents a significant health challenge across the board.
To accurately
consider these statistics when making a decision regarding the correlation
between video games and aggression in children, the time spent playing these
video games is also important to note, especially because children are spending
significantly more time on gaming than what is recommended.
Mixed research
findings
In 2015, the
American Psychological Association released an official statement
saying that there was a very clear link between video game violence and
aggression. The statement was supported by a task force’s review of many
research studies conducted between 2005 and 2013. However, there remains
insufficient evidence to claim a link between video games and criminal
behavior.
The research on the
link between violence in video games and aggressive behavior in children
remains mixed. Studies have found no credible link showing that children
participants exposed to prolonged periods of violent video games were any less
aggressive than those who were not.
However, the main
limitation of most of these studies is that they are not longitudinal in
comparison to studies that have found a longitudinal link between video game
violence and aggression.
Of the studies that
have indicated an impact of violent video games on children’s well-being and
behavior is a 2011 study that found that children who were already aggressive
or had aggressive tendencies chose more violent video games. Similarly, another
2010 study found that children who were high in neuroticism and low in
conscientiousness tend to become more aggressive after playing or watching
violent video games.
A set of three
separate longitudinal studies, all with large numbers of child participants,
found a link between violent video games and increased aggression and
impulsivity, as well as playing mature-rated video games predicted later risky
behaviors.
A 2019 study done at
the
Jordan University of Science and Technology found that games with shooting
and fighting lead to more hostile, aggressive, and delinquent behavior and
found a strong positive correlation with IGD.
Why violent video
games are dangerous
While it is known that the depiction of violence in television and movies
has a substantial effect on aggression and violence, the current spotlight
being placed on violent video games is due to their interactive nature that
engrosses and requires the player to identify with the aggressor, making this
medium potentially more dangerous.
As adequately put by
psychologist Dr Craig Anderson: “In the short run, playing a violent video game
appears to affect aggression by priming aggressive thoughts. Longer-term
effects are likely to be longer-lasting as well, as the player learns and
practices new aggression-related scripts that can become more and more
accessible for use when real-life conflict situations arise.”
Just as any child is
prone to learning from
educational games and imitating positive behavior, they
are also prone to learning, imitating, and practicing aggressive and violent
solutions in conflict situations. This is especially true when such games are a
child’s introduction to topics such as guns, criminal behavior, sexual
exploitation, and drug use.
However, some researchers
have argued that violent video games that promote aggressive behavior could
actually reduce crime because the more time children spend playing violent
video games, the less time they have to engage in antisocial activities.
The issue with such
claims is that even if they were true, they subsequently would also lead to a
decrease in prosocial activities, which are vital for the development of
children.
The benefits of
playing video games
In the same way that it would be difficult to deny the harmful effects of
violent video games on a child’s well-being, it would also be difficult to deny
the proven benefits of playing such games that require shooting and fighting.
Such games can affect
various brain functions, leading to improved cognitive skills such as systemic
thinking, pattern recognition, and enhanced working memory.
While it is true that it is practically impossible to prevent children from witnessing any type of media violence, it is ... imperative for parents to be proactive in their intervention on how media violence affects their children.
There has also been a
recent increase in the “gamification” of therapy for children with both
physical and mental health issues. When patients experience therapy as a game,
evidence suggests that they are less likely to be aware of any discomfort and
pain, motivating them to adhere to their prescribed treatment plan designed to
manage their condition.
Another
evidence-based benefit is the use of video games that offer realistic virtual
environments in treating anxiety disorders.
Setting healthy limits
The impact of violent video games must remain a priority on our list of
societal concerns, with a target on boys for aggression intervention. The
proven link should not be ignored.
While it is true that
it is practically impossible to prevent
children from witnessing any type of
media violence, it is absolutely imperative for parents to be proactive in
their intervention on how media violence affects their children.
If the coming generation
continues to be exposed to violence in more interactive manners without any
guidance, intervention, or parental control, then it will have the power to
make them more fearful, violent, and aggressive.
If your child begins
to exhibit any sign, no matter how small, of aggressive behavior, then it is
your responsibility as a parent or caretaker to reduce their exposure to such
games.
If you have not seen
any signs of aggressive behavior in your child, you should still continue to
monitor their gaming activity, and pay very close attention to ratings on all
video
games and apps. Because even if it did not make them more aggressive, it
is likely to have other devastating effects on their physical and mental
health, especially since overexposure to violence eventually leads to
desensitization to it.
Have an honest
conversation with your child about the unhealthy messages being sent to them
through graphically violent games, and offer your insight and model the proper
way to regulate your time spent playing video games.
Promoting prosocial
behavior also ensures that your child is well-rounded and better prepared to
deal with conflict or crisis in a mature, collected, and non-violent manner.
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