The American Psychological Association (APA) has reaffirmed its position on violent video games and violent behavior. Based on an updated resolution, APA believes that there is insufficient scientific evidence to link violent video games to violence itself.

The APA's Council of Representatives created a task force in 2015 to tackle the issue of violence in video games and the correlation with violent behavior of players, including mass shootings. The APA found no link to violent behavior, although other studies have found a link to kids playing violent games and the likelihood of them engaging in gunplay.

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The APA recently decided to look back into the resolution thanks to members of the media and policymakers wanting more information, the type of blowback that has caused outlets like YouTube to change their policy on videogame violence. However, upon review, the APA believes violence is a very complicated issue that cannot be simply attributed to video games. APA President Sandra L. Shullman, Ph.D. states that "violence is a complex social problem that likely stems from many factors that warrant attention from researchers, policymakers and the public. Attributing violence to video gaming is not scientifically sound and draws attention away from other factors, such as a history of violence, which we know from the research is a major predictor of future violence.”

parental controls

The Council of Representatives did come back with an updated piece of literature that reaffirms a small, but reliable, linkage to violent video games and acts of behavior in those who play video games. And that is aggressive outcomes such as yelling and pushing. This also aligns with other studies that link to violent games and physical aggression. However, the APA reiterates its stance that the findings do not point to these behaviors extending to more violent acts.

The APA has worked for years on studying this difficult and complex subject. The APA believes that one of the more critical aspects is educating the industry and parents about the importance of parental controls, which is something that the Nintendo Switch can do adequately, and putting the correct games in front of children. It has also pushed to tighten up the game rating system so that the level of violence in video games is clear and concise to parents.

Video games have been prevalent in culture for only a few decades. Fans have been able to enjoy the medium in a myriad of ways, from puzzle games like Tetris to relax the mind, to sports junkies enjoying Madden each year, to Nintendo fans who can't get enough of the creativity of Mario and Zelda, and yes, even those who enjoy all-time controversial violent games.

However, actual violence has been around much longer than video game violence, obviously. Wars, murder, and those who seek to harm others have existed theoretically since humanity has existed. Historically speaking, the Code of Ur-Nammu mentions it from 2100–2050 BC. As The American Psychological Association reaffirmed, violence is an incredibly complex issue, and pinning it on gaming is both unfair and an easy scapegoat answer.

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Source: APA.org