Perhaps you have considered, at some point in your upbringing with your children, whether or not video games are beneficial for them.
The truth is that video games have certain benefits for children, since they can promote their sustained attention (concentration), improve their reflexes, their visuo-spatial abilities… and therefore, we should not demonize them or categorize them as “good or bad”. “, since this vision would be too reductionist.
However, we find different types of video games, and when we talk about violent video games, things change.
Children imitate what they see at home, on TV, at school… and they learn through observation , and then act on what they have learned and seen. Likewise, says Pamela Eakes, founder of Mothers Against Violence in the US and author of the article Do you know what video games your children play?
That is why it is important to be attentive to what our children play. In this article we will learn about some of the effects of violent video games on children and adolescents , based on current scientific evidence.
What effects do violent video games have on children and adolescents?
In the scientific literature we find numerous studies that allude to the negative effects of the use of violent video games in children and adolescents.
For example, the study by Félix EtxeberrÃa Violent video games and aggressiveness , published in the journal “Social Pedagogy: interuniversity magazine” in 2011, concludes the following:
“Current evidence shows that exposure to violent video games is directly related to aggressive behaviors, thoughts and attitudes.”
But in addition, prosocial behaviors and empathy towards victims also decrease .
Another study that goes along the same lines with these conclusions is the one carried out by the research team at Brock University in Canada and published in the journal Developmental Psychology .
It mentions that adolescents become more aggressive towards other people after years of playing violent video games.
We are going to break down and learn in a little more detail about these and other effects of the use of violent video games in childhood and adolescence.
Aggressiveness
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , children who play violent video games on a regular basis are more likely to behave aggressively , and possibly get into physical altercations with their peers.
fear and insecurity
Other possible effects of violent video games are a heightened sense of fear and insecurity.
And it is that video games that involve violent actions, such as killing and fighting, can lead to children being more insecure and fearful . This is suggested by the article Violent video games and aggressive behaviors (2011), published by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.
mistrust of others
Mistrust of others is another possible consequence of the use of violent video games, due to exposure to violent situations (and uncontrollable, involving third parties) in the game.
Physiological arousal and hostility
In an article by Douglas A. and Craig A. Anderson titled Violent Video Games: The Danger of Latest Media Violence, published by Iowa State University, playing violent video games was found to increase physiological states of arousal .
In fact, when you suffer from anxiety, what you experience is precisely this physiological arousal (an increase in its levels).
Thus, what this type of video game does is increase short-term spikes in blood pressure and heart rate, causing a higher level of possible hostility and aggression.
Nightmares
This type of video game can also cause children and adolescents nightmares, since so many hours exposed to situations of violence in the end, what is generated in them is “material for the mind”, which appears later in dreams.
normalization of violence
Another important effect of the use of violent video games is the normalization of violence. What happens is that children end up “understanding” that what is “normal” is what they see on their screens, when this is not the case.
And this is very dangerous , because in their day to day they will surely see situations of violence or aggression (for example, situations of bullying ), and they will experience them in the same way, which can generate more violence, inability to set limits, lack of empathy etc.
decreased empathy
On the other hand, and as we suggested at the beginning of the article, we also found studies that suggest that when children play an excessive amount of violent video games, they experience decreased levels of empathy .
This is stated in the article Violent video games, aggressive behavior, and social and school adjustment , by Jason A. Drummond and Eric F. Dubow.
Numbness and difficulties sharing feelings
The following point can also be deduced from the previous point: that what games that include violent scenarios do is desensitize children’s feelings, which means that they are less able to share their feelings with their friends or classmates.
My son plays violent video games: what to do?
If your child has started playing violent video games, and you feel that this is affecting their development , or their way of behaving, or you directly don’t like them seeing the images that appear in them, we recommend that you talk openly with them and start setting limits.
look for alternatives
It is important that your child understands the consequences of this type of video game and, above all, that he understands that there are alternatives. In today’s market there is an immense number of video games of different types, free of violence.
speak in confidence
Perhaps you can also find a day to go to a video game fair or event, to a second-hand store…
The idea is to take advantage of this moment together, not only to enjoy and get closer to what he likes, understand it, etc., but also to make him aware and comment on these aspects that concern you. Speak in confidence and without taboos.
Set limits and follow criteria
It is important that you understand that you can play whatever you want, but with certain rules and based on certain criteria. Focus the conversation from active listening , not from reproach; investigates the aspects that motivate him to play this type of video game and together look for alternatives.
Photos | cover (freepik)
