There have been 23 school shootings in 2018. 23. In 21 weeks. In light of the alarming amount of school shooting incidents in the United States this year, many people have been looking at our government and politicians to take action to curb the issue. Instead of addressing the issue head on and implementing gun restrictions, politicians have been diverting the attention onto video games. Just this March, President Trump openly blamed video games for the increase in school shootings, even holding a meeting to “discuss violent video-game exposure and the correlation to aggression and desensitization in children” (Ducharme). However, do violent games actually result in a more aggressive behavior? These days, the popularity of violent video games has caused an increase in controversy, with games such as Fortnite and Call of Duty becoming a household name. Parents and experts believe that some games are just too violent and can result in children becoming more violent in a reflection of the violent games they play, and they demand the government to regulate the sales of these games. However, I strongly believe violent video games can not be solely blamed for causing an increase in aggression among adolescents, but should rather be commended for being beneficial to children.
Proponents of the counterargument may postulate that video games can cause children to become violent. These people claim that such games can negatively impact the developing minds of children and teenagers, raising the point that these games create even more violence and aggression. When a child constantly experiences blood, violence, and murders in video games such as Battlefield and Wolfenstein, it leaves a certain impression on a child’s mind. Such a child would be more susceptible to aggressive actions against his or her siblings and friends. Moreover, they argue that children are unable to fully separate the virtual and real world, as that distinction is very blurry for an undeveloped young mind, so they often confuse the two concepts, thus believing that what it acceptable in the virtual world would also be also justifiable in the real world. Therefore, they bring that aggressive violent attitude into their daily lives, potentially harming the people around themselves. Leonard Sax MD, an American psychologist, even recently asserted that “playing video games where the objective is to kill people – games such as Fortnite – over time, desensitizes gamers to violence" (Patterson), thus making children more prone to aggressive behavior. However, this argument is flawed as such a claim has been refuted several times by numerous researchers (Kugler; Szycik; Ferguson), while other researchers have deemed games as only a single factor in a large number pool of influences on children's behavior (Anderson). After all, video games are not the only media consumed by children and teenagers. Television shows and movies similarly have many violent scenes, but are never blamed. Essentially, even if exposure to and playing violent video games did increase a child’s risk to 'desensitization' (which much research says it does not), it would only be a single influence of many, including upbringing, social groups and exposure to other media, and thus cannot be solely blamed.
As mentioned, video games are not the sole reason for causing aggressive behavior among children, if at all. Dr. Kipling D. Williams Ph. D, has stated that besides playing violent games, genetics and environmental aspects and self-control must be considered as some of the factors that contribute to the increase in aggressiveness in a child. Genetics tend to have a critical role in determining the personality of a person, as some people might have a tendency to be more rebellious and aggressive. These people may then be attracted to play violent video games, instead of the argument that violent games cause violence, and these children's violent tendencies can then be diverted towards violent video games rather than actually doing it in the real life. Moreover, in countries such as the United States of America, there is easier access to firearms which can result in violent thoughts and behaviors. Dr Williams said that "guns can act as a stimulus because it reminds the person of aggressive behaviors seen on television or maybe in real life. If the person does not have a solid self-control, it can lead him to a violent behavior" (Williams). Therefore, self-control is one of the main aspects because no matter how many violent stimuli in the environment there are, or whatever violent content an individual may consume, self-control can suppress one's violent and aggressive thoughts. Hence, I believe video games are not to blamed for an increase in aggressive behavior in children.
Although many politicians and parents often cite the negative aspects of video games, even if their claims are not factual, playing video games can be beneficial to adolescents. For example, video games can push children to master certain ability to overcome the obstacles in a level of a video game. For example, "Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege” is a tactical shooter and while it is a violent game, it can help develop an individual’s skills. The game requires substantial teamwork and coordination among players, as well as leadership skills as a player acts as the leader of an elite anti-terrorist squad consist of 5 members. At the beginning of the game, players can choose from a plethora of options to infiltrate the terrorist compound, including, but not limited to, using a drone to scout out the facility, planting an explosive and breaching the door to the area, climbing down from the rooftop or simply walking through the main entrance. These options can spark a sense of strategy and logical thinking, as well as bolster communication and leadership qualities, develop teamwork and coordination skills, qualities which cannot be taught on the daily basis in schools.
Lastly, video games can be used as a tool for social interactions, as friendships can sometimes be fostered and developed through playing video games. A large majority of the today’ popular video games have either multiplayer or online capabilities or both, granting users the ability to interact and communicate with other people from various walks of life, thus allowing the individual to expand their horizons and experience different cultures. For example, I befriended several Australians, Mexicans and lots of Americans from playing "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive”. The game focuses on eliminating the other team and hence teamwork and communication both play a pivotal role in succeeding in the game. Thus, I use the opportunity to talk about with others and learn more about other people who came from different backgrounds. Personally, meeting lots of people online has also helped to develop my English ability and social skills, especially since English is not my first language and being an introvert, I find starting a conversation with anybody to be extremely difficult and awkward. In conclusion, I believe that, from my personal experiences, video games can be an astonishing tool to keep children entertained during leisure time, help foster friendships, and cultivate social skills.
Video games have become a big part of our culture and a part of many people’s lives, to the point where politicians and experts have placed the blame on video games in an attempt to divert the public’s attention away from the problem. Despite their fraudulent claims, we have already seen multiple research displaying the benefits of video games, as well as research showing that video games are not to be blamed for causing violent and aggressive behavior among adolescents. Therefore, I believe it is time for us all to embrace the technology around us that brings about so much more boons than banes. Our society will not be destroyed by this, as many people would lead you to believe, but will instead be augmented further. There is but one last thing we need to do. We need to sit down and pick up a controller. Play video games. We will only disadvantage ourselves if we refuse to diminish the false concerns and beliefs regarding video games leading to violence and aggression. Video games are here to stay