Violent video games are leading to more aggressive behaviour in children, child health experts have warned.
In a new report, doctors said ‘virtual violence’ has become as bad as real-life violence, and thanks to advances in technology is more ‘immersive’ than ever before.
With graphic images and videos of horrific attacks from around the world becoming increasingly accessible, and violent video games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto more realistic than ever, the US experts said that many children are left traumatised, or develop aggressive tendencies.
They have called on parents to be more vigilant of the harm being done to their children.
Following a review of studies and papers about the effects on children of viewing violence, the American Academy of Pediatrics yesterday recommended that all children under six should be shielded from on-screen violence because they cannot distinguish fantasy from reality – and insisted that in video games, humans or living targets should never be shot for points.
‘We know from hundreds of studies on thousands of children that there is a link between “virtual violence” and real-world aggression,’ said Dr Dimitri Christakis, director of the Centre for Child Health, Behaviour and Development at Seattle Children’s Research Institute.
‘On average, the effect is in what we would deem the small to moderate range, but equivalent to the link between passive smoke exposure and lung cancer.
‘Screen violence, particularly when it is real but even if it is virtual, is quite traumatic for children regardless of age. It is not uncommon to see increases in nightmares, sleep disturbances and increased general anxiety in the wake of these events.’
The authors of the ‘Virtual Violence’ report, which was published in the journal Pediatrics, have now called for the US government to develop its own ratings system for violent content in video games, TV shows and films rather than rely on the entertainment industry to police itself.
Dr Christakis added: ‘Parents should be mindful of their children’s media diet and reduce virtual violence especially if their child shows any aggressive tendencies.’ – Daily Mail