Latest Study Shows Violent Video Games Make Kids Emotional

from the shocking dept

Tue, Nov 28th 2006 9:38pm — Mike Masnick

It's tough for a month to go by without some new study coming out about the impact of violent video games on kids. Sometimes they say there's no link and sometimes they say there is a link, but almost always, when you look at the details, the studies are terribly done. The more recent trend is to show that right after playing video games, kids have more aggressive thoughts and are desensitized to things -- but none actually show that those aggressive thoughts or desensitization actually lead to violent activity. The latest is no different. Like many of the others it uses a fairly small sample size, and shows that kids playing a "violent" war video game (Medal of Honor) show different MRI brain activity than kids playing a racing game (Need for Speed). Those playing the war game showed that the "emotional" part of their brain was more stimulated -- which, really, when you think about it isn't that surprising. The process in your brain of playing a war video game is quite different than playing a racing video game, and it's not at all surprising that different parts of the brain respond to it. That still doesn't show any impact on how kids actually act. It doesn't sound like this study is a bad one. It sounds fine. And it doesn't look like the researchers are pushing any conclusion beyond exactly what the study told them. However, that won't stop some from using this study to support the idea that violent video games creates violent kids -- when the study says no such thing.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

39 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Donald Duck, 28 Nov 2006 @ 9:48pm

Kids
I thought kids wasn't allowed to play violet video games. LOL
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Donald Duck, 28 Nov 2006 @ 9:48pm

Kids
I thought kids wasn't allowed to play violet video games.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Punch, 28 Nov 2006 @ 11:08pm

Well, the study doesn't prove anything, like tobacco leads to cancer. Certainly smokers tried at first a little. Violent games also work similar when kids are exposed to such violent games, they could tend to be more violent.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
SimplyGimp, 29 Nov 2006 @ 12:27am

Pathetic
Here we go again. This crap comes in waves I swear. It's up to the parents to keep the kids away from these games. I don't care how hard it supposedly is, how much time you need to watch them, it's the parents job.

So, studies on this, even if they are true aren't doing anyone any good. Reason is, the story is spun in a way to demonize video games as a whole, instead of being used to inform parents so they can make a wise decision on their own.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
STJ, 29 Nov 2006 @ 12:46am

hmmm
I want to know what their brain looks like when watching different types of moves, or listening to different types of music. Would that change how they act as well? Rap music is bad, hard core moves are bad...

Just watch the MPAA come out and complain how one sided those tests would be.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Paul, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:24am

the same thing DID happen with movies
there used to be a lot of restrictions on movies. i say we should count ourselves lucky that various video games haven't been banned and that so far the fight to keep it that way hasn't turned tides. hopefully some new medium will come along and the crazies can focus on how that new thing is destroying america.

right now, relative to everything else, video games are still the new kids in town and a bunch of people have decided to pick on them. once someone new moves in, they'll draw their attention.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PhysicsGuy, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:45am

frankly, without details of the study itself there is no way to conclude that it is a decent or proper study. you link to an article that mentions the study uses mris so you assume "hey, fancy technology the study must not be that bad..." ... poor conclusion. nowhere is the methodology of the study mentioned, the sample sizes, etc. how about someone you tried a repeat of the study to see if the conclusions are actually accurate? that seems to be missing in science today. i would agree that the study does not show a link between video games and aggresive behavoir though... caffeine also creates a fight or flight response in the brain because caffeine uses the same receptor sites as adenosine which is what regulates our state of drowsiness. when your brain sees that there is a low amount of adenosine it assumes a fight or flight situation and produces some adrenaline, this is how caffeine makes you awake and "wired" so to speak. however, how many people go out and beat someone up because they drank a cup of coffee?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PhysicsGuy, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:46am

please excuse some of the typos :) it's 8:45 and i just got out of a calc test ... :P i'm a bit tired and out of it at the moment...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 29 Nov 2006 @ 5:54am

tobacco doesn't lead to cancer just like guns don't kill people :-) when used in a certain way it is possible. but if they just sit there....they just sit there.

i can also show that reading books causes you to fail classes while drinking beer can lead you to a high GPA.

i can probably do a study to show that eating chunky peanut butter makes you read the sports secion while on the can, and icecream would lead to a romance novel.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
p, 29 Nov 2006 @ 6:02am

Re: AC
I'm sure you couldn't do a study that shows causation of any of those things... correlation definetly, caustion definetly not... perhaps you should be an environmental scientist...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PhysicsGuy, 29 Nov 2006 @ 6:02am

^post was by me :)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
eb, 29 Nov 2006 @ 6:10am

Video Games
The most harmful effect of video games on kids is that it keeps their posteriors planted in a chair. Kids are getting fatter and unhealthier as a result. Maybe the problem isn't the games at all, but the fact that the kids are fat, unhealthy and isolated.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Malkantar, 29 Nov 2006 @ 6:42am

Re: Video Games
I agree with eb.

Kids are fatter and more unhealthy then they ever were in the past, especially here in the U.S.

Kids need to get out more, get some frieds, get active, and get healthy. They'll feel better about themselves too and be less violent.

I'm all for video games (I'm a video game junky, even was addicted to eq1 and still play eq2 sometimes and my xbox 360), but I still go to the gymn 3 to 5 times a week and run, lift, and swim!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Xiera, 29 Nov 2006 @ 9:49am

Blah, blah, blah... parenting
I agree with SimplyGimp.

What amazes me is that no matter how many studies are done and shot down, people are still looking for excuses. It ultimately comes down to parenting: if you don't want your kid to play violent video games, don't let him (YOU DON'T NEED A REASON); if you want to allow your kid freedom to play what he wants, then let him. If you don't want your kid to use a gun, don't keep one in your house and/or don't allow him access to one. BUT you cannot shelter your kid from everything life throws at him -- you need to TEACH him so he makes the appropriate decision at the appropriate time. No more excuses, please; take responsibility.

As for kids getting no exercise because they're playing video games... I think I already mentioned parenting, right? Kids aren't the lazy ones -- they don't know any better; parents are the lazy ones for not teaching their kids and helping them get off their asses.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Not a Coward, 29 Nov 2006 @ 12:18pm

Re: Blah, blah, blah... parenting
Get a friggin clue. Parents don't call for these studies moron. The reason for these studies is that idiots such as yourself, who think they have all the answers for the rest of us, take every opportunity to spout crap like parents are to blame.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
|333173|3|_||3, 29 Nov 2006 @ 3:59pm

Worst Effect
I would gues that the second worst effect (after getting fat) is that kids tend to try to play games in class (SoF II Double Helix MP test, hacked to add extra levels and hide from teh admins was popular at my old school). On the plus side, it stops the kids trying to curcumvent the filters so much.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2006 @ 7:32pm

Re: Video Games
BUT THINK NOT MOSTLY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROLEM
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2006 @ 7:48pm

Re:
wat you think you cool by saying writing this will>>>>no!!! BECAUSE I DO NOY THINK THAT YOU TAKE THIS RIGHT ,BECAUSE THER ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT THERE ACTION HAVE BEEN CAUSE BECAUSE OFF VIOLET GAMES...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amak, 2 Dec 2006 @ 12:37am

LOL
This is funny. Why blame the company? In the end, it's the parents fault. Who let the kids play the game? Parents. My brother and I played many violent games, yet we aren't violent (besides the fact we have short tempers:p) But good god, the parents are to blame!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amber Hamilton, 7 Dec 2006 @ 9:29am

Re: Video Games
I do agree with that video games do keep kids planted in a chair for hours at a time, but how ever I think that kids are becoming fatter and unheathier becouse of games. Not becaue they maybe isolated or becaue they are already unhealthy and fat. Video games do impact everyones live's. Maybe if we get kids to focus more on outside games maybe we wouldn't have the problems we have. Vedio games are taking over peoples live's.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amber Hamilton, 7 Dec 2006 @ 9:29am

Re: Video Games
I do agree with that video games do keep kids planted in a chair for hours at a time, but how ever I think that kids are becoming fatter and unheathier becouse of games. Not becaue they maybe isolated or becaue they are already unhealthy and fat. Video games do impact everyones live's. Maybe if we get kids to focus more on outside games maybe we wouldn't have the problems we have. Vedio games are taking over peoples live's.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Amber H, 7 Dec 2006 @ 9:58am

Re:Video Games
I do agree with that video games do keep kids planted in a chair for hours at a time, but however I think that kids are becoming fatter and unhealthier because of games. Not because they maybe isolated or because they are already unhealthy and fat. Video games do impact everyones lives. Maybe if we get kids to focus more on outside games maybe we wouldn't have the problems we have. Video games are taking over peoples lives.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2006 @ 10:52am

vyvyitcvyitgfvty
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2006 @ 10:53am

hey im not an anonymous coward!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2006 @ 10:59am

i think the parents are to blame and plus im never violent unless im defending myself.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 8 Dec 2006 @ 11:01am

i like ketchup!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Gunn182, 14 Dec 2006 @ 8:50am

What?
So are video games realy to violent? Well games are a form of media, such as anything you may see on t.v., listen to on a radio and such, or even read in a magazine or new paper. But also games are a form of entertainment that stimulates the mind. So can we just simply single out video games becuase of violence? The answer is simply no. Can we do the redundent cheap shot and attack the parents, again no. Like movies or things we watch on t.v there are warnings to people to use discretion about whatthey are about to view. As people we decide what we want to see and not see, that is a choice we have. But we must all understand that this is just entertainment not reality. And if we are so misconstruded by the fact that this is just entertainment and want to go on a phycological level then we have nothing eles better to do with are time. We need to remind ourselves about what is real and what is not. And in closing if we believed everything we see or listen from in an media form and act it out to the point of being disturbed or violent then who is the bigger idiot? It is all about perception, use it sometime.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
bu88les, 16 Feb 2007 @ 5:47am

hi
hi how are you hope your ok

bye
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 21 Feb 2007 @ 11:38am

wow
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 28 Feb 2007 @ 10:12am

Re:
wow u r a freaken idiot ive palyed video games for 7 years and im the kindest kid at my schoool
[ link to this | view in thread ]
billy, 15 Mar 2007 @ 6:37am

Re: Kids
this is true beacue the vedio games have esrb ratings
[ link to this | view in thread ]
billy, 15 Mar 2007 @ 6:39am

Re:
yes u r a ass
[ link to this | view in thread ]
bill, 16 Mar 2007 @ 6:33am

Re: Re:
yeah right
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Ruddeger Luis, 1 May 2007 @ 9:51am

what a load
I really think parents should take the time to check for the USRB ratings instead of just balming the game right off the bat and really I dont think if i play GTA im just going to run out and go on a killing spree like come on sure it excites kids but we wont go out killing ppl but really what video game deosnt get some at least a little bit excited.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
aaaaaaaaa, 9 May 2007 @ 6:30pm

Re: Re: Video Games
fang ni ma pi
[ link to this | view in thread ]
amber, 13 May 2007 @ 11:33am

klajisjgdhsyu
fkhdkjgfsdugfyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyykdyffffffustsudfgsufusffbcjfxcnvxcgxhcfhgasssssssssssssssssssssssssss sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssgdhfchfchgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggfggg ggggggggggggggggggggggggjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Brett Imler, 13 Oct 2008 @ 9:02am

Violence relating to violent kids
I my sefl am an advent gamer im a year old 16 that plays nothing but Role Playing Games and War/Sci-fi gmaes involving shooting i for one think that this study should be continued but I for one would try to get MRI not during but befor and after playing suck games thats what people ar e missing when they do these studies they do the tests after which show the aggressive thought process in action in stead of before when playing. Also I feel that people that violent video games only prgess thier aggressive thoughts when they've been told that they have anger issues but also a very bad aggressive behavior which result in violent outbursts on people they know and love. I do admit i have a bit of a temper but I have no past outbursts which would lead me to have any negative reaction when playing games such as Halo 3, or a very popular game Call of Duty 4 which fit the war and sci-fi shooters
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 11 Dec 2008 @ 10:33am

Re: hmmm
how about your face hahahahahahahahahahahaha
[ link to this | view in thread ]
emma hardcore gamer, 1 Apr 2011 @ 5:58am

no way
i love video games how can this be! i no my emotion would never change
[ link to this | view in thread ]