Study challenges link between violent video games and youth aggression

The relationship between violent video games and increased aggression in young people has been a topic of considerable debate. Recent research suggests that the connection is not as straightforward as once thought. 

Video games, particularly violent ones, are often blamed for increasing aggression among youth. Yet, a recent Czech study published in Computers in Human Behavior challenges this notion. This research, involving 3,010 teenagers, found no strong evidence linking violent video games to heightened physical aggression. 

The study, titled “Does violence in video games impact aggression and empathy? A longitudinal study of Czech adolescents” indicates that while individuals who play more violent games may show slightly higher cognitive empathy and verbal aggression, there is no significant long-term effect on aggression or empathy. Notably, players who increased their empathy over time tended to engage less with violent games, whereas those who became more aggressive played more violent games. 

This nuanced finding highlights the complexity of the relationship between violent video games and behavior, suggesting that external factors, like the Covid-19 pandemic, may also influence outcomes. Future research should focus on objective measures to better understand these dynamics. 

Photo Credits : Photographie Anton27 / Shutterstock©  

With ETX / DailyUp 

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