Do video games cause violence?

After schoolwork, chores and practice, free time means that game time for several American children. As several as 97 % of children ages twelve to seventeen within us play video games. Children are large contributors to the tens of billions of dollars that U.S. video game makers and sellers earn each year.

There seem to be countless types of video games to choose from. They include sports, racing, dancing and simulations. More than half of the 50 top-selling video games contain violence. Some think this may be a problem.

Violent video games are blamed for college shootings, bullying and violence toward women. Critics argue that these games desensitize players to violence. They worry that these games teach youngsters that violence is acceptable.

On the opposite hand, game supporters say there's no proof that video games cause social violence. They argue that violent video games could offer a secure outlet for angry feelings. This may actually reduce crime.

The debate over violent video games started in 1976 with "Death Race." Players drove over "gremlins" that resembled stick-figure humans. Protesters dragged "Death Race" machines out of arcades and burned them in parking tons. Production of the game was stopped.

In 1993, there was a more public outcry over the violent video games "Mortal Kombat" and "Night Trap." Congress discussed regulating the sale of video games. In response, the video game industry established the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to rate video game content. The ratings are: "Early Childhood," "Everyone," "Everyone 10+," "Teen," "Mature" and "Adults Only." Of all the games rated by ESRB in its 20-year history, 94% have been rated "Everyone," "Everyone 10+" or "Teen." However, there are still thousands of games rated "Mature."

Many kids ages 12 to 17 still play "Mature" or "Adults Only" video games though. In a 2008 survey, 50% of boys and 14 % of girls said a game with one of these ratings was among their favourite games. Possible Link between Video Games and Violence Toward ladies

Through the years, the issue of video game violence resurfaced. In 2005, the American Psychological Association called for less violence in video games marketed to youth. The group same there could be links between video games and violence toward ladies.

Critics argue that taking part in violent video games is to blame for the increasing rates of bullying in recent years. Some researchers are involved that violent video games teach youngsters that violence is an acceptable approach to determination conflicts and achieving goals.

Attention to game violence was revived once more in 1999. The two adolescent shooters of the columbine high school mass killings in Colorado usually compete in violent video games. Many focused on the role of video games in the school shooting. There even have been mass shootings wherever the shooter didn't play video games. The 2007 Virginia school shooting is one such example.

As Games Get More Realistic, the Debate Continues

In 2013, President Barack Obama requested $10 million from Congress to fund studies regarding gun violence, including "the effects violent video games have on young minds." However, former Representative Jack Kingston, a Republican from Georgia, was the chairman of the House subcommittee that regulated the spending of money by the government. He opposed the research and said the president's request would not be funded.

An August 2015 report from the American Psychological Association determined that taking part in violent video games is connected to accrued hostile behaviour. But, it did not find to provide sufficient evidence of a link between the games and increased violence in society.

Meanwhile, worldwide sales of video games are predicted to reach $102.9 billion in 2017. As games still get a lot of sophisticated and realistic, the controversy over violent video games continues.