Negative Effects of Exposure to Violent Video Games on Children's Behavior

Video games have become increasingly popular in today's society, offering both positive and negative effects on consumers. This essay will focus on the negative effects of exposure to violent video games on children's behavior in terms of education, aggressiveness, and creativity.

Aggressiveness in Children

There has been a rising debate about the aggressiveness in children due to exposure to violent video games. Studies show that a significant number of video games contain violence, with approximately 85% of games featuring some form of violence and 50% including serious violent actions (Carnagey, Anderson, and Bushman 489). Despite being rated E for all ages, parents often consider these games to be violent. The consequences of exposure to violence in video games are worse than those caused by abusive parents, broken homes, or association with antisocial peers. Children who play violent video games demonstrate increased aggressive cognitions, behavior, psychological arousal, and antisocial behavior. Additionally, exposure to violence in these games leads to desensitization, where children become accustomed to violence and may perceive it as the norm (Carnagey et al 490). The positive manner in which violence is portrayed in video games, with exciting music, sounds, and visual effects, further contributes to reduced physiological arousal and desensitization. Desensitized children are less likely to notice violent acts or events and are less empathetic towards victims of violence. Moreover, they have a decreased perception of injury and are more likely to engage in aggressive behavior towards other children at school.

Negative Impact on Education

Furthermore, excessive video game playing can negatively impact children's education. Children who spend a considerable amount of time playing video games often neglect their schoolwork, preferring the instant gratification and rewards offered by games. This is especially true for children who already struggle with schoolwork, as they turn to video games for a sense of achievement and success. Consequently, their educational performance suffers, and they may develop an addiction to video games, prioritizing them over schoolwork. Video games also hinder children's ability to engage with their environment and peers, inhibiting the development of social skills and cognitive abilities. Instead of participating in creative activities and exploring their surroundings, children become absorbed in virtual worlds filled with violence and aggression (Lakhanpal 1). This lack of exposure to real-life experiences limits their cognitive growth and creativity.

Importance of Parental Control

While there are some positive aspects to violent video games, such as the opportunity to practice skills and mimic social structures, it is crucial for parents to control their children's exposure to these games. The negative effects of excessive video game playing outweigh the positive ones. Just as parents would prevent their children from watching inappropriate movies, they should also restrict their access to violent video games to protect them from the potential harm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exposure to violent video games has significant negative effects on children's behavior, particularly in terms of education, aggressiveness, and creativity. Parents have a responsibility to regulate their children's video game usage and protect them from the adverse consequences. By doing so, they can ensure their children's well-being and promote healthier alternatives for entertainment and education.

Works Cited

1. Carnagey, Nicholas, Craig Anderson, and Brad Bushman. “The effect of video game violence on physiological desensitization to real-life violence.” Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, vol. 43, 2007, pp. 489-496.
2. Lakhanpal, Bhardwaj Priyanka. Is addiction to video games killing creativity. 2010.
3. Kiefabar, Matt. Video Games. 2009. Web.
4. Vorderer, Peter and Bryant Jennings. Playing Video Games: Motives, Responses, and Consequences. New York: Routledge, 2006.