The video game industry has grown rapidly and become highly profitable, driven by improvements in graphics, gameplay, and storytelling. As the audience grows, more popular games are rated for adults over 17. Some research suggests violent video games could impact young children's development, but most studies on links between violent games and real-life violence are contradictory. While parents may be concerned about violent content, experts note that mental health issues, rather than the games themselves, often underlie violent behavior.

1. The Rise of Video Games and the
Effect of Violent Games on
Childhood Development

2. The video game industry is the fastest growing
entertainment industry and second only to
music in profitability.
Improvement in graphics, gameplay, and
storytelling has helped video game popularity
increase and has also provided better and more
memorable experiences for gamers.

3. As the audience for games grows, however, children make up a smaller part
of that audience, and more and more of the most popular games are rated
"M" (intended for adults 17 years or older). Unsurprisingly, these M-rated
games are popular with young people as well.

4. The big thing that put violent video game concerns in
the hot seat was the 1999 incident of the Columbine
High School Massacre. Before killing themselves two
students went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High
School and killed twelve students and one teacher.

5. Although video games have
become a prominent part
of modern day
entertainment, and could
have impacts on young
children’s development,
violent games do not cause
young people or any people
to be violent or display
violent behavior.

6. Video games such as Grand Theft Auto IV allow players
to do virtually anything they want.
Perhaps if parents knew what their
children’s main goal in these games were
they wouldn’t be upset.

7. > provide a fun and social form
of entertainment
> encourage teamwork and
cooperation when played with
others
> make kids feel comfortable
with technology
> increase children's self-
confidence and self-esteem as
they master games
> provide points of common
interest and opportunities for
socialization
> develop skills in reading,
math, technology and problem-
solving
> encourage participation in
related offline activities, such as
reading or sports
> encourage civic participation

8. Most research out there about if violent video games
cause real life violence is very contradictory.
Desensitization! "Once you're
emotionally numb to violence, it's much
easier to engage in violence."

9. “There’s no denying the concern for someone that does
something on an extremely excessive basis (be it gaming,
watching TV, doing exercise, working, etc.). In most cases, this
has more to do with the person than the thing: mental
stability, depression, social anxieties, low self-esteem,
whatever. Let’s find better ways to help the people and worry
less about the “things.”
Jason Della Rocca -director of the
International Game Developer’s
Association

10. In 2005, California enacted a law that imposed a $1,000 fine on
retailers any time they sold a violent video game to a minor. The
state cited social science studies that it said showed kids who play
these games for many hours are desensitized to violence and
become more aggressive in their behavior. But the U.S. Supreme
Court rejected those arguments, and struck down the law.

11. Video games aren’t going to replace schools anytime soon, but they give a
glimpse of how we might create new and more powerful ways to learn in
schools, communities, and workplaces—new ways to learn for a new
information age.