Because discussions of video game violence have stemmed from mass shootings since the Columbine massacre in 1999, it should be no surprise that the discussion has arisen once again. A mass shooting occurred at a high school just outside of Boca Raton, Florida that left at least 17 dead and numerous injured, and in response, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin (R) stated in an interview that video games were partly responsible.
This is not his first comment on video games, as he has previously stated that video games were to blame for “desensitizing young people to the actual tragic reality and permanency of death.” Sadly, the recent “swatting” incident seems to support Bevin’s comments; however, it is worth noting that, as recent as January 16, studies have shown there is no correlation between video games and violent behavior.
Nevertheless, Bevin stated in response to the Florida shooting that, “There are video games that, yes, are listed for mature audiences, but kids play them, and everybody knows it, and there’s nothing to prevent the child from playing them.” He continued on, stating that games “celebrate the slaughter of people. There are games that literally replicate and give people the ability to score points for doing the same thing that these students are doing inside of schools, where you get extra points for finishing someone who’s lying there begging for their life.”
While his statement, for the most part, seems like an overgeneralization, Governor Bevin is heavily opinionated on the influence of gaming on mental health. Considering the World Health Organization has recognized the adverse effects that a gaming disorder can have on a person’s mental health, it wouldn’t be surprising if the focus shifted from the effect on the individual to the effect on society, which is where discussions on video game violence essentially stem. After all, Governor Bevin compared video games to pornography and stated that video games are “forced down our throats under the guise of protected speech.”
As the country deals with yet another mass shooting, discussions on gun violence, mental health, violent movies, and violent video games may very well continue, at least as long as such horrible actions like this shooting (and the armed break-in on Rooster Teeth alum) continue. In the meantime, discussions on gun control have been met with resistance, so this is sadly and doubtfully not the last tragedy.
Source: Leland Conway Show (via US Gamer)