Paige Woodall

1/ 28/ 16
SPED 442

EBD Fast Facts #1

Topic: Violence and video games
The video game industry is increasingly growing today, and with that grows the use of
violent video games and concern for those who play them. According to ProCon.org, over half of
the 50 top selling video games contain violence. As a parent or educator, this is significant
information to be aware of because 90% of pediatricians and 67% of teachers strongly agree
that violent video games can increase aggressive behavior among children. Research shows that
actively playing violent video games can increase aggressive, violent behaviors in children. For
example, this article shares that 60% of middle school boys and 40% of middle school girls
who played at least one Mature-rated game hit or beat up someone, compared with 39% of boys
and 14% of girls who did not play M-rated games. Just by playing a violent game, the players
aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior can be increased, even if theyre only playing for a
brief period of time (Dill, 2000). In fact, it has been found that when the youth are exposed to
violent games, they tend to become increasingly more aggressive immediately after exposure,
leading them to be more aggressive adults down the road (Carnagey, 2007). Knowing this, it is
frustrating to realize that most gaming manufacturers market these violent video games to
children. It sadly comes to no surprise to many that imitating violence such as shooting guns and
hand-to-hand combat in video games can lead to real-life violent behavior. Looking back on the
percentage statistics previously mentioned, we can se that playing violent video games has a
significant affect on childrens emotional and aggressive behaviors, thoughts, and tendencies.
It is helpful to be informed on the effects of violence in video games because this can
help teachers to better understand what might be going on behind a students aggressive, violent
behaviors. If teachers build a positive, welcoming climate in their classroom and are informed of

Paige Woodall
1/ 28/ 16
SPED 442
their students interests, they most likely would be aware of what their students do in their spare
time at home such as playing video games (and what types). This would help a teacher to
understand where that student is coming from in the case of them acting out aggressively, giving
them better grounds to approach their student and help them reason out what is going on and
why.

Paige Woodall
1/ 28/ 16
SPED 442

References:
1. Carnagey, N. L., Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2007). The effect of video game
violence on physiological desensitization to real-life violence. Journal of Experimental
Social Psychology, 43(3), 489-496.
2. Dill, K. E. (2000, April 23). Violent Video Games can Increase Aggression. Retrieved
January 25, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2000/04/videogames.aspx
3. Violent Video Games - ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved January 27, 2016, from
http://videogames.procon.org/#Background