Welcome, I am Callum Nottage today I will be discussing whether or not video games cause violence.

Video games - a game played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer

program on a monitor or other display. This is something we all know too well and everyone has
played at least one game in their lifetime in the modern world. As with everything, everyone has an
opinion about whether video games are good or bad for you. Some argue that violent video games
teaches kids and adolescence that its okay to be violent, causing such behaviour. However, on the
other hand, people believe that it has nothing to do with the content of the game, but the mind of
the player. Both are reasonable opinions but let us separate fact from fiction. Please note that

this infotainment may contain educated humour that could be deemed offensive to people
that live in countries like America. Or America. And even America! Oh, and soccer mums,
definitely soccer mums.
But seriously - video games. Do not, cause violence. Now of course Im going to prove this
with educated opinions and facts unlike some people. Anyway, there are many points that
suggest violent video games or even games in general do not cause violence but can help
people in many ways. A theory proven through a study led by Matthew Grizzard a PHD
assistant professor in the Universaty at Buffalo Department of Communication, states that
violent video games can have a positive effect on kindness, civic engagement and prosocial
behaviours. [Matthew Grizzard, Buffalo.edu Bad video game behaviour increases players moral sensitivity
university at Buffalo] In further detail: this research has shown that playing violent video games
can induce a feeling of guilt that leads to increased prosocial behaviour in the real world.
Meaning! That those who are exposed to violent video games may have a sense of guilt that
enables them to be more sensitive to other human beings through positive actions that
benefits others. Now lets think about this, kids or adolescence who are exposed to violence
through virtual visual means are more sensitive to others than those who are not. So if we
look at the background of infamous bullies who resort to violence, most of them play sport
rather than games and often have mums that look like this.
Now I will admit that that is a rather generalising statement, however according to research
done by WebMD, general characteristics of a bully would suggest that they have witnessed
or experienced violence verbal or physical, in the household, are often physically strong
and struggle following rules. [WebMD, Bullying-Characteristics of Children Who Bully] This is more than
likely because they want their own way and will do whatever they can to get it, as children
do
Moving on... According to Dr. Micheal R. Ward, who was apart of the research paper
Understanding the Effects of Violent Video Games on Violent Crime as violent video
games sales have increased, youth crime rates have decreased. [Ward M. Understanding the Effects
of Violent Video Games on Violent Crime. SSRN Electronic Journal.] Funny that. Now prepare yourself for a
lot of numbers and percentages. In the US alone, the total video game hardware and
software sold increased by 204% from 1994 to 2014. Now in this period, regarding to youth,
violent crimes fell by 37% alongside with the fall of youth murders at 76%. The Juvenile
Violent Crime Index arrest rate in 2012 was 63% less than in 1994 while criminal
victimization with high school students was reduce by more than half from 1995 2011.
Now one could claim that this is a mere coincidence and that they know everything.
However, it is a no brainer that there is a clear link to the selling of games and the decrease

of violence. The fact that kids and adolescence can go protect earth from invading aliens
trying to wipe humanity off the face of earth or preventing terrorists from taking over the
world inside their own living rooms, suggests that they have another way of letting off some
steam. Rather than beating each other up in the playground.
I mean come on, we have people complaining that violent games are the cause for these
kids being violent and misbehaving, while there is clear evidence that states otherwise. Like,
cant you be appreciative that games have decreased youth crime and kids arent running
around beating up your minivans?
Well my time limit is fast approaching and I think Ive covered everything. So to quickly
recap violent video games can instead of induce bullying, allow people to be more sensitive
towards others, in fact one cause to bullying would be the exposure of domestic violence.
Finally the increase of sales of video games have led to the downfall of violent youth crimes.
With this in front of you I leave you with clear evidence that in fact violent video games do
not lead to violence in the real world. Now instead of being a biased loudmouth who always
wants their way, you can walk away with a better and unbiased understanding and opinion.