Video game violence undoubtedly affects unstable teenagers with low self esteems. Video games do induce some level of violent behavior in pre-pubescent teens. But to a small extent.
Popular media outlets (newspapers, Tv shows) sensationalize video game violence, pushing the blame to the ever-present use of violence in video games. Pointing fingers is too easy, especially when the two students in the Columbine High School Massacre of 1999 had significant fanboyisms towards violent video games in the 90’s–specifically Wolfenstein 3D and Doom.
Strangely, other mediums such as books, music, television and the movie industry in America are ignored, even when all of these entertainment mediums have encouraged psychotic behaviour with explicit content. Songs like “Gloomy Sunday” encouraged mass suicides and Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler encouraged thousands of Germans to start the Holocaust. Yet, video games today come under fire in the media, while censorship of other mediums is slowly fading away, like dust in the wind as most mediums today are opening up to the younger crowd.
There’s no denying the links between some acts of violence with violent video game content. Sadly, excessive coverage of video game violence with a one sided view shows the cons of video games, downright excluding the pros of video gaming (fast game-play improves reaction time and motor skills etc.). In conclusion, violence is ever present in society, not because of videogame violence. It depends on the individual’s mental stability (how he was raised, morality etc.) and other factors affecting the individual. Sadly, gullible young parents will continue to eat this sh*t and I hope people take “video game violence” news with a grain of salt.
