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The American Psychological Association has just released a review of the research on the impact of playing violent video games. Contrary to what the mass media, the gaming industry and many gamers would have us believe, the jury is still not out on whether ongoing exposure to violent video games poses a risk of harm.

The APA Task Force on Violent Media reports that

The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect and decreases in prosocial behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to aggression. 

It also notes that

Scientists have investigated the use of violent video games for more than two decades but to date, there is very limited research addressing whether violent video games cause people to commit acts of criminal violence [as opposed to aggressive behaviour]. However, the link between violence in video games and increased aggression in players is one of the most studied and best established in the field. No single risk factor consistently leads a person to act aggressively or violently… rather, it is the accumulation of risk factors that tends to lead to aggressive or violent behaviour. The research reviewed here demonstrates that violent video game use is one such risk factor.”

The Task Force’s review is the first in this field to examine the breadth of studies included and to undertake multiple approaches to reviewing the literature.

It’s sensible to take notice of findings from a group such as this who are eminently qualified to judge the reliability of the range of research studies.

For too long, and too frequently, media have given too much weight to dissenters – many of whom lack the well-established research credentials of these. Sometimes this is done with a mistaken view of providing “balance” between those who think the research is convincing, and those who don’t. Sometimes, the naysayers are just more vocal.

So what can we do with the mounting evidence of risk of harm from exposure to violent videogames?

We need to get the message out to parents and caregivers, and we need to support them with strategies for keeping their children out of the firing line (including observing classification labels), and make it easier to make non-violent media choices (see Resources).

We can support them with clear messages about the ways different types of portrayals of violence in the media can impact on children at different developmental levels (see Resources).

We should be revising our games classification system so that:

PG and M (both based on 15 years) are replaced by more age-based categories under 15

Reliable research findings about risky types of violent media content are incorporated

The criteria for MA15+ are modified so that strong repetitive violence is not permitted

Legal force should apply from 12+, not at 15+

The system is based on evidence of harm, and not offence + community standards.

We need to start shaming marketers who aim their products, linked with M rated movies, at the young.

And we can all be mythbusters when we hear the message that video game violence isn’t risky.

The Australian Council on Children and the Media has a number of resources that can help.

Short and long–term effects of violence – http://childrenandmedia.org.au/assets/files/resources/fact-sheets/impact-of-content/Short-term-and-long-term-effects-of-violence-in-the-media.pdf

Effects of media violence on children – http://childrenandmedia.org.au/assets/files/resources/fact-sheets/impact-of-content/Effects-of-media-violence-on-children.pdf

Computer games: true or false – http://childrenandmedia.org.au/assets/files/resources/fact-sheets/program-types/Comp-Games-true-or-false.pdf

Fight-free, fright free media list – http://childrenandmedia.org.au/assets/files/resources/fact-sheets/parent-strategies/fight-free-listOct12.pdf

Non-violent video games for children – https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/nonviolent-video-games

Top tips for healthy game play – http://childrenandmedia.org.au/assets/files/resources/fact-sheets/parent-strategies/Top-10-tips-for-healthy-game-play.pdf

The Mediatrician on managing game play – http://cmch.tv/my-ten-year-old-grandson-is-seemingly-addicted-to-his-xbox-and-is-allowed-to-play-m-rated-games-on-weekend-he-spends-hours/

 

Barbara Biggins OAM is honorary CEO of the Australian Council on Children and the Media, a national community based organization working for healthy choices and stronger voices in children’s media.  www.childrenandmedia.org.au