• Violence in video games continues to be a topic of social concern in the United States and throughout the world. Current research yields mixed results linking violent behavior to those who play violent video games.

  On March 15, 2009, German chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of limiting children's access to violent video games after reports that mass murderer Timothy Kretschmer had played Far Cry 2 and Counter-Strike.Int'l Herald Tribune: Merkel urges stricter gun checks after shooting (March 15, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. According to the American Psychiatric Association, violent game use is associated with increased aggressive behavior, thoughts, and affectAPA: Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions (October 2003)
  2. Game use also increases physiological arousal and decreases pro-social behaviorAPA: Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions (October 2003)
  3. High levels of violent game exposure are linked to delinquency, fighting at school and violent criminal behaviorAPA: Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions (October 2003)
  4. Even non-aggressive individuals are affected by brief exposuresAPA: Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions (October 2003)
  5. Cartoonish violence also creates increased aggression in college studentsAPA: Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions (October 2003)
  6. American legislation has failed to date to cut back on getting violent games into children's handsMacWorld: You can’t legislate common sense with games (March 13, 2009)
  7. Other researchers argue that there is no significant connection between violence and school shootingsGamasutra: Research: No Significant Relationship Between Violent Games, School Shootings (January 23, 2009)
  8. Pro-gamers argue that free speech laws protect violent games, and that parents have a responsibility to keep them from their childrenMacWorld: You can’t legislate common sense with games (March 13, 2009)

• Mass Murder and Violence

  Timothy Kretschmer was a 17-year-old boy who went on a rampage, killing 10 students and three teachers at his school and three other persons, before he was shot and killed in a shootout with police. The night before the killings, Kretschmer spent two hours playing Far Cry 2, in which the player hijacks a car, wears black camouflage clohing and fires a Beretta92 handgun.Int'l Herald Tribune: Merkel urges stricter gun checks after shooting (March 15, 2009)

• Related Mahalo Pages

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