Video Games May Increase Kids' Aggression

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who play violent video games are more likely to act aggressively, argue, and get into physical fights with other students, suggesting that violent games may influence kids' behavior, according to a review of previous research released on Friday.

Study author Dr. Kevin M. Kieffer of Saint Leo University in Florida explained that children may imitate aggressive models, such as violent characters in games, and repeated exposure to violent games may permanently change kids' behavior.

"That is, the individual begins to associate aggression with certain situations and may remember the aggressive behavior more easily than 'prosocial' or appropriate behavior," Kieffer noted.

Children who constantly witness aggressive behavior may also become desensitized to violence, he added, thereby increasing their tendency towards violence.

Alternatively, Kieffer noted that some research suggests that children who are more aggressive in general are more likely to play video games, suggesting that, in some cases, the game is not to blame.

As part of the research, Kieffer and his co-author, Jessica Nicoll, reviewed studies of kids' behavior after playing violent video games, conducted over the past 15 years.

During one study, children who played violent games for less than 10 minutes tended to characterize themselves as aggressive immediately after playing.

In another study that included more than 600 children in the 8th and 9th grades, those who spent more time playing video games tended to appear more hostile to teachers, and have more arguments and physical fights with other students. Video-game lovers also scored lower in academic tests.

Children who played violent games tended to imitate moves they'd used in the game, such as trying karate when playing with friends after a game that included karate.

Boys tended to play video games more than girls. Children with low self-esteem who often play video games appear to be at a higher risk of problems afterwards, Kieffer noted.

Kieffer and Nicoll reported their findings on Friday in Washington, DC during the 113th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.