Do violent video games influence negative behavior in adolescents?

Violence in schools is a growing epidemic in today’s times.  Why is it that violence in schools is being portrayed more extensively today than it has in the last 10-15 years?  Many individuals are concerned with video games influencing adolescent’s behavior negatively, causing them to “act out” the character represented in the video game.  Adolescents are typically expressing this type of behavior on school grounds or in their neighborhoods.  Research studies have shown that adolescents who are exposed to violent video games tend to illustrate more aggression during daily activities compared to those who are not.  

This graph illustrates that students with high hostility involved in physical altercations/fights were prone to playing violent video games.

 Further studies show that more and more adolescents are being treated for anger management than ever before and that this is linked to violent video games.  Video games in general have been shown to cause symptoms of addiction, which will in turn cause focus to deter from reality.  In adolescent years, this addiction can cause social confinement and lack of participation in school.  This can have a significant impact on the overall mental stability of the adolescent.  When this addiction is mixed with violent video games it can have an overwhelming impact on the individual and their surroundings. 

With recent video game technology, graphics and simulations are coming more life like.  For example, in older video games when someone was killed they would disappear, now when someone is killed there is blood and a life like simulation of how that person would really die.  An article discusses that the teens involved in the horrific Columbine incident, had strong ties to the video game Doom.  This video game was originally developed for the training of military personnel, but became a popular mainstream video game for adolescents.  The teenagers created their own version of Doom, which replicated what happened at Columbine.  There are also many other references linking violent video games to aggressive behavior in adolescents.              

Studies from National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NIND), show that adolescents who are exposed to violent video games become more desensitized from violence in the “real world.”  This causes the adolescent to view violence as being somewhat normal and okay.  Grafman from the NIND stated that, “Continued exposure to violent videos will make an adolescent less sensitive to violence, more accepting of violence and more likely to commit aggressive acts."  When a real life situation occurs the adolescent may use violence to resolve the issue because they believe it’s normal. 

In researching this topic, violence associated with adolescents, has been linked to violent video games whether in school or in the community.  Research studies have shown a rise in aggression in adolescents who interact with violent video games.  This over exposure to violence has caused a desensitization amongst the youth.  Adolescents reenact what they learn in these video games in real life situations, which in many cases causes negative effects.       

Chai, Carmen.  (2010, October 19). Violent TV, video games can desensitize teens: study. The Gazette,A.19.  Retrieved February 23, 2011, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2169754341).

Powell, C.. (2009). Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Policy.  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38(3), 483-485.  Retrieved February 23, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1647884061).

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1723.  Video Games:  A Cause of Violence and Aggression

Are children safe in school?

With what is portrayed in the news and media it appears that children are at risk for violence in schools, when in fact it should be a safe environment second to being at home.  In gathering data on bullying in schools, several sources proved there is violence in some schools but not all.  Some have views that schools are not dangerous places.  On the other hand, it shows that bullying is one of the main concerns in schools today and it’s a great contribution to the violence that takes place.  One of the main questions is when will schools take bullying seriously and realize that this is a contributing factor to young people’s lives?


According to Weddle, “Bullying causes real and long lasting harm to children, but most school administrators fail to address the problem until it is too late.”  It is crucial for faculty and the child’s parents to be involved in their lives and to know what is going on around them.  A zero tolerance policy for anti-bullying should be in effect for every school nationwide.  There are many children who take their lives because of this issue.  According to Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Director Bernard Melekian states, "Bullying was once viewed by some as a relatively harmless behavior that was an expected part of adolescent interaction."  Recent statistics show that 160,000 children stay at home due to bullying.  In addition, studies also show that at least half of suicides committed by adolescents are linked to bullying.

A study was done by the University of Virginia, which demonstrated the discipline violations between the years 2008 and 2009 (depicted in graph below).  A total of 1,906 public schools and over 1.2 million students were studied.  The study showed that bullying was one of the main reasons for discipline.  It was found that 6,595 students were disciplined for bullying other students when reported to the school faculty.  

The largest perception which demonstrates that schools are dangerous or violent is presented by a series of high profile cases which have captured the attention of many news headlines.  Out of approximately 1.2 million students, only 6,595 of them were found of bullying which is about equivalent to approximately 1.8 percent of the total population of the 1,906 schools. 

In researching this topic, bullying is an epidemic that is not taken seriously enough by schools (faculty), students and parents.  At least once a week there is a news story or article in the paper in relation to violence in schools.  This is a form of mental and physical abuse amongst the adolescents and something must be done to prevent permanent damage.  Violence in schools “bullying” is a harsh reality that should not be overlooked in our society.  The statistics show that a good percentage of adolescents who are bullied do not feel safe at school.         

Anonymous, . Bullying in Schools. (2010, June). FBI Law Enforcement

Bulletin, 79(6), 16.  Retrieved February 10, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals.

(Document ID: 2059670671).

Daniel B Weddle.  (2003, October). When will schools take bullying seriously? Trial, 39(10), 18-20,22-25.  Retrieved February 10, 2011, from Criminal Justice Periodicals. (Document ID: 459490701).

http://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu/violence-in-schools/virginia-statistics.html

http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html