Introduction
A common frustration in society is the impact of violent video games on children. Its popularity among kids is not overstated. According to Greitemeyer (2018), most of the children interviewed were obsessed with the above activity. Centuries of reflection on the impact of violent media have looked at the links between hostile content, aggressiveness, and peer acceptance (Dowsett & Jackson, 2019). Even though some dissenting opinions claim that video games sharpen one’s mind, this essay reaffirms the assertion that these sports are harmful and unhealthy to children and the youth as they promote violence.
Harmful Effects of Video Games
Since the official launch of computer games, different studies have been conducted to measure the consequences of viciousness in filmed games on aggressiveness. Still, very few have investigated the influence of the above activity (Chang & Bushman, 2019). Using a video game as stimulation introduces an intriguing possibility because respondents can study directly from their firsthand knowledge. Competitive rivalry in computer games does encourage violence, and the competitiveness of aggressive video games, instead of the actual physical viciousness, has enhanced aggressive behavior. The perceived threat of negative media coverage has been contrasted with the risk of real violence. Playing ferocious video games, in particular, can significantly raise a genuine interest in handguns, such as attempting to shoot a pistol at oneself or someone else (Shao & Wang, 2019). Furthermore, repeated media violence exposure has a significant predictor of threatening behavior in the context of real weapons.
Counterargument
Some dissenting opinions argue that playing computer games can positively enhance an individual’s visualization as long as they are not looking at the display for long hours. Due to excellent spatial resolution, kids who play computer games can comprehend things differently in unstructured scenes (Coyne et al., 2018). They can prepare their intellect to understand tiny details since they are essential in each play. Nevertheless, video games are still dangerous to the young generation more than beneficial because they lead these juveniles to weapons and other hazardous conduct.
Conclusion
As seen above, video games have a primary negative influence on children. It is well-founded that exposure to kids’ media violence increases aggressiveness in the near and distant future. Moreover, intense media exposure promotes risky behavior concerning weapons. As a result, caregivers should be aware of the dangers of exposing their children to this activity; but most pertinently, gun enthusiasts must keep their handguns safe.
References
Chang, J., & Bushman, B. (2019). Exposure to gun violence in video games on children’s dangerous behavior with real guns. JAMA Network Open, 2(5), e194319. Web.
Coyne, S., Warburton, W., Essig, L., & Stockdale, L. (2018). Violent video games, externalizing behavior, and prosocial behavior: A five-year longitudinal study during adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 54(10), 1868-1880. Web.
Dowsett, A., & Jackson, M. (2019). The effect of violence and competition within video games on aggression. Computers in Human Behavior, 99, 22-27. Web.
Greitemeyer, T. (2018). The spreading impact of playing violent video games on aggression. Computers in Human Behavior, 80, 216-219. Web.
Shao, R., & Wang, Y. (2019). The Relation of Violent Video Games to Adolescent Aggression: An Examination of Moderated Mediation Effect. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. Web.