I don't think a blanket statement can be made that there is no connection between acts of violence and violent video games. My argument is that advertisers are projected to spend 500 billion dollars this year worldwide. About 170 billion in the U.S. alone. This money would not be spent if advertising did not affect the behavior of some of the people that are exposed to it. The argument "I played Mortal Combat and I've never killed anyone" doesn't sway me. Millions of people see advertisements for cigarettes but have never smoked. But there is a subset of the population that does smoke due to the influence of the ads. Regarding violence, I venture to say that violent video games influence a subset of the game playing population to commit acts of violence. It is likely a miniscule number, but a "number" nonetheless.
I have my doubts
Specifics?
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by placebo96799.
Submit a story now.