Are Violent Video Games Bad? Arguments

Are Violent Video Games Bad? A Deeper Look

Video games are just everywhere these days, right? They've become a big part of our lives, pulling in millions of players all around the world. But there's this whole debate going on about violent video games and whether they're messing with people's heads or behavior. This essay is all about exploring if these types of games are harmful to folks and society overall. When you start looking at stuff like aggression, becoming numb to violence, and mental health, it starts to seem like violent video games might not be so great.

The Link Between Violence and Aggression

So, let's talk about aggression. Some studies show a link between playing violent video games and getting more aggressive. Like, there was this study by Anderson and Dill back in 2000 that found people who played violent games were more aggressive than those who didn't. Seems like seeing all that violent content can lead to angry thoughts and actions that spill over into real life.

The American Psychological Association (APA) even chimed in on this topic. They released a statement in 2017 saying there’s a "consistent relation" between playing violent video games and being more aggressive (APA, 2017). Having such a well-known group say this adds weight to the argument that these games aren't exactly harmless.

Desensitization: Feeling Less Over Time

Another thing about these violent games is they might make people less sensitive to real-world violence. Desensitization is basically when you're less emotionally responsive because you've been exposed to something too much. People playing these games regularly might end up caring less about violence in the real world.

Carnagey and Anderson did a study in 2005 showing that college students who played violent video games felt less empathy and showed more aggressive behaviors. It suggests that long-term exposure could make folks less able to connect emotionally with others, maybe leading to a society that's more detached and cold.

Psychological Well-Being: Not Always Fun and Games

Violent video games can mess with your mental health too. The immersive nature, mixed with constant violence exposure, can lead to stress, anxiety, or even depression symptoms.

A study by Ferguson et al. in 2017 looked at teenagers who played these games for hours. They had more depressive symptoms and acted out more. The researchers pointed out that being exposed to violent content could really hurt vulnerable groups like teens.

Wrapping It Up: Are They Really That Bad?

In the end, saying violent video games are bad has some strong backing based on what we've seen here. Aggression goes up, people get desensitized, and mental health takes a hit—all hinting at negative impacts from these games over time. Sure, not everyone will turn out worse for wear after playing them, but we can't just ignore the risks involved.

There's definitely a need for more research to get the full picture of how these games affect behavior and mental health. As a society, we should seriously think about the potential harm from violent video games and figure out ways to deal with it properly.

References

• Anderson, C.A., & Dill, K.E. (2000). Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior in the Laboratory and Life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78(4), 772-790.
• Carnagey, N.L., & Anderson, C.A. (2005). The Effects of Reward and Punishment in Violent Video Games on Aggressive Affect, Cognition, and Behavior. Psychological Science, 16(11), 882-889.
• Ferguson, C.J., Olson, C.K., Kutner, L.A., & Warner D.E. (2017). Violent Video Games as Exemplary Teachers: A Conceptual Analysis of How Violent Video Games Can Induce Positive Behaviors In Youths Who Play Them.Pediatric Psychology,42(1),102-111.
• American Psychological Association (APA). (2017). Resolution on Violent Video Games Available at: [reference source].