Behavior Change cause by Violence Video Game : Research and Citations

Video games are a $10 billion industry. As the industry rapidly expands with new gaming systems and updated technology, there has been stiff competition to create the most realistic and interactive games.From war games to car thefts, many of these games include graphic acts of violence. And many of these games are being played by children.Some of the most popular games include violent images of people or animals being killed. Sexual exploitation, drug use, and criminal behavior are also depicted frequently.While some parents claim video games have no effect on their child, many experts warn about the harmful effects violent games can have on kids.

What the Research Says About Violent Video Games

The research on the link between video games and aggressive behavior in children has been mixed. Certainly, some studies have shown that children who play violent video games do not exhibit any increased aggression.But here are some studies that do indicate violent video games impact a child’s well-being and behavior:

A 2007 study by the Swinburne University of Technology found that while some children became more aggressive, others became less aggressive. The vast majority did not show any changes in their levels of anger.

• A 2010 study found that video games only lead to aggression in children with specific personalities. Children who were high in neuroticism and low in conscientiousness, for example, tended to become more aggressive after watching violent video games.
• A 2011 study found that aggressive children tend to choose more violent video games. The researchers found no evidence that violent games caused aggression.
• A 2011 study by the Center for European Economic Research found that although violent video games may promote aggressive behavior, they could actually reduce crime. Researchers suggest that children who spend more time playing video games have less time to engage in antisocial activities.

The Psychological Association’s Stance

In 2015, the American Psychological Association released a statement that said there is a clear link between aggression and video game violence. This was based on a task force’s review of research conducted between 2005 and 2013. The task force reports violent video games lead to decreased empathy and reduced prosocial behavior. The same statement acknowledges there is insufficient evidence of a link between violent video games and criminal behavior.

The Report on Virtual Violence

In a 2016 statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledged that it is nearly impossible to prevent children from witnessing any type of media violence. And they report that it’s imperative for parents to be proactive about how media violence impacts children.Their statement, in part states, “research shows that without guidance or controls it has the power to make children more aggressive, violent and fearful.”It’s recommended that parents prevent children under 6 from witnessing any type of media violence because they’re not able to separate reality from fantasy. They also recommend parents of older children closely monitor all media violence on TV, online, and in video games.

How to Set Healthy Limits on Video Games (Parent Response)

If your child exhibits aggressive behavior, reducing his exposure to violent material could help. But even if you haven’t seen any signs of aggression, it’s important to monitor your child’s video game play. Watching acts of violence may desensitize your child to violent behavior.

Keep in mind that appropriate media use for children isn’t just about the quantity of screen time they get, it’s also about the quality of the media they are consuming. Here are a few tips for setting healthy limits on video games:

• Monitor what games your child is playing. Keep a close eye on the websites your child uses to access games online. Look for kid-friendly sites only. Know what type of games your child plays on his gaming systems as well.
• Pay close attention to the ratings on video games and apps. Don’t allow your child to play games that may be too graphic or violent for his age group.
• Play games with your child. Playing games together can give you insight into what types of games your child is playing. Talk about any unhealthy messages that a game may be sending and be a good role model.
• Limit your child’s screen time. Spending countless hours in front of a computer monitor or gaming console can take a serious toll on your child’s physical and mental health. Set reasonable limits on screen time, even when the games are non-violent.
• Consider an occasional digital detox. Set aside time to unplug from all the digital devices. Whether it’s just one weekend a month or a week or two every quarter, a digital detox could improve your child’s mental health and behavior.

Cited From Amy Morin, LCSW Documentary, 2019

Once video games moved from the arcades of the 1970s and 80s to family living rooms, the video game industry came into its own. The industry generated as much as $10.3 billion dollars in 2002 surpassing even film industry revenues.

Since that time, more and more people — young and old alike — have gotten caught up in what’s soon to become the next official diagnosis: video game addiction. Ongoing technological advancements make it possible for anyone with a television, desktop, notebook computer or mobile phone to play video games whenever the mood strikes.

While children and teenagers naturally gravitate towards video games, adults have also fallen into the gaming arena. These developments have given rise to some alarming video game addiction statistics that seem to be increasing with each passing year.

Usage Rates

The rate of video game addiction seems to be increasing each year. With high rates of video game use taking off just over a decade ago, video game addiction statistics and studies have yet to show the whole picture. A study appearing in the medical journal Pediatrics, conducted by research scientist Douglas A. Gentile, Ph.D., examined video game usage rates of 3,034 children and teenagers. Video game addiction statistics from this study revealed the following:

• The average length of time spent playing video games was 20 hours per week
• An estimated 72 percent of American households play video games
• An estimated nine percent of the 3,034 participants in the study showed signs of video game addiction
• Four percent of percent of study participants were categorized as extreme users who played video games 50 hours per week on average

Online Video Games

The online world of video games has opened up a whole new realm for video game addiction statistics. As of 2013, “internet-use disorder” exists as a full-fledged diagnosis within the DSM-IV, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Internet-use disorder includes five sub-categories, one of which is online gaming.While the notion of video game addiction has been around for a while, online access to video games has brought about considerable increases in the size and scope of the problem.

Effects on Behavior

Video game addiction statistics show as much as 40 percent of online video game players admitted to playing online games as a way to escape from the real world. Escape as a coping mechanism is one of the key components of an addiction, whether a person escapes through drugs, gambling or video games.

Another study found in the American Academy of Pediatrics examined the effects of violent video games on aggression in children. Video game addiction statistics showed children who spent excessive amounts of time playing violent video games showed a greater propensity towards aggressive behavior in their daily lives. This same set of video game addiction statistics also showed ongoing gameplay resulting in poorer grades in school and difficult relationships with their parents. As the amount of time spent playing video games decreased, children showed reduced levels of aggression, better grades and improved parental relationships.

While there is no official diagnosis for video game addiction, those who have suffered the consequences of obsessive gaming believe that this addiction is definitely as real as it gets, and many treatment professionals would have to agree. Video game addiction, though relatively new, has swept in to take over the lives of children and adults, causing undue hardship, hazardous conditions and a wealth of problems for those involved.

Video game addiction symptoms, although not clearly defined as of yet, are beginning to become more and more prevalent in children, teens and adults alike. An individual who shows even just a few signs of addictive behaviors when it comes to playing video games either online, on television or on a phone should consider seeking professional help. Video game addiction is progressive and like other addictions, will become more pronounced and difficult to control over time.

Some of the most common video game addiction symptoms have been outlined below:

Being Preoccupied with Video Games

Your video game addiction symptoms can be managed!

Playing video games occasionally is not necessarily bad for one’s health; in fact, people generally enjoy playing video games. However, when playing video games takes over and distorts thinking causing the gamer to become preoccupied with all things related to gaming there is a problem. Video game addiction symptoms are often difficult to spot at first sight, but for someone to compulsive think about gaming and to have a disinterest in other activities (especially those which were once considered fun) is a sure sign that help is needed.

Tolerance

Like any addiction, one of the most common video game addiction symptoms is called tolerance. Tolerance is the perceived need for an individual to play more and more games in order to be satisfied. The gamer may make excuses in order to get more game time, he or she may spend hours playing games and as time goes on, the individual will find that he or she spends more and more time playing and less and less time being involved in other activities.

Losing Track of Time

Video game addiction symptoms, like the symptoms of other types of addiction, often revolve around the individual’s lack of control when it comes to a particular behavior. For an individual who is addicted to video games, there is often a time loss that comes with playing. The individual may say he or she will only play for an hour and then wind up playing for 6 hours or he or she may make a commitment to get off the game console or computer in 30 minutes and wind up spending hours playing.

Agitation or Anxiety

For most video game addicts, the symptoms of video game addiction go much deeper than simply being unable to control gaming or to keep track of time. Agitation and anxiety are both very common amongst gamers, especially if their gaming time is cut short or if they cannot game at all. You may notice that your teen gets mad at you if you make him or her do something besides play video games or that there is anxiety when away from the game console. These are two very common video game addiction symptoms and they are symptoms that can require professional help.

Overspending on Video Games

While overspending on gaming items is not usually a problem for children who do not have control over their money, for adults who suffer from video game addiction, overspending is a common problem. Many adults who are addicted to video games may spend money that they really don’t have, essentially gambling their money away, on video games. Spending bill money, savings or money that is not for recreational use on video games is a sure sign that there is a deeper problem.

Additional Video Game Addiction Symptoms

There are actually many symptoms of video game addiction which may or may not be present in each gamer. For some, the symptoms are mostly emotional while for others the symptoms begin to embark on a physical downfall. For instance, many video game addicts will have a lack in caring for themselves and may not eat properly which can lead to various adverse health effects including obesity or weight loss. Additional video game addiction symptoms include:

• Lack of interest in school or work
• Becoming angry at video games or when not allowed to play
• Suffering from bouts of depression when unable to play
• Having dreams or uncontrollable thoughts about gaming
• Downplaying the video game addiction or making excuses
• Losing control of video game playing
• Irregular eating habits
• Headaches
• Lack of personal hygiene
• Inability to quit gaming even when you try
• Eating meals while playing a game or eating very quickly in order to get back to a game
• Chatting about video games excessively when you cannot play the game
• Playing video games for more than 8 hours at a time

Thank you for reading. Hope this document useful to you. You might have your surrounding act of these symptom if they did, I suggested you to try help them before it’s too late.