Can Video Games Affect Children?

 During my research into violent video games, there were hundreds of sources I managed to look up. I managed to find more proof of the fact that video games can cause aggressive behavior to young minds. 

In one blog, Andrea Norcia writes about how video games can make children aggressive and how attached they become with video games. She begins her topic with her explanation of why video games are entertaining. Her analysis on how games work is that players " are encouraged to actively participate as a character by choosing how they will interact with other characters including which weapons will be used while fighting or attacking other characters."(paragraph 1) Throughout the rest of her topic, she mentions several reasons how violent video games can cause aggressive behaviors with proof from various websites and that the "National Television Violence Study (1996) determined that 73 percent of violent video games reward violence as an effective way to handle conflict." (paragraph 4) Her analysis provides evidence  to her audience making her topic legitimate for those concerned about the risks of playing violent video games.

Another website I recently found focuses on child and adolescent minds. It provides cause and effects of violent video games. The site mentions that many "of the most popular video games provide a negative themes and promote:

1. the killing of people or animals
2. the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol
3. criminal behavior, disrespect for authority and the law
4. sexual exploitation and violence towards women
5. racial, sexual, and gender stereotypes 
6. foul language, obscenities, and obscene gestures"(paragraph 2) 

Children that spend too much time playing violent video games "can create problems and lead to:

1. poor social skills
2. time away from family time, school-work, and other hobbies
3. lower grades and reading less
4. exercising less and becoming overweight
5. aggressive thoughts and behavior"(paragraph 5)

Luckily, the site mentions a few steps to help keep your child under control from playing too much video games. By following these steps, "parents can help their children and enjoy video games by:

1. checking the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating to learn about the game's content.
2. selecting appropriate games - both in content and level of development.
3. playing video games with their children to experience the game's content.
4. setting clear rules about game content and playing time, both in and outside of your home.
5. strongly warning children about potential serious dangers of Internet contacts and relationships while playing games online.
6. talking with other parents about your family's video game rules.
7. remembering that you are a role model for your children - including video games you play as an adult." (paragraph 6)

By watching the types of games being released and their ratings, adults can help their children make the right decisions when playing video games.  This way, children can enjoy playing video games  and feel safe from becoming aggressive.

Resources: 

Children and video games: playing with violence (2011, March). American Academy of 
                                                             Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved from:
                                                             http://aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_
                                                             families/children_and_video_games_
                                                              playing_with_violence

Norcia, Andrea (2013). Violent video games and aggressive behavior. Palo Alto 
               Medical Foundation.Retrieved from:http://www.pamf.org/preteen
               /parents/violentvideogames.html