How do video games affect behavior?

The growth of media has had an ever-expanding role in the lives of children, especially in terms of a child's physical and mental health. Here, Michael Rich, MD, MPH, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, comments on media as a force that powerfully affects child development, health, and behavior. Paying particular attention to TV, movies, music, and video games, Rich offers perspective on common concerns over media and suggests ways to avoid the media's negative effects.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• medicine
• health
• humanities
• social
• science
• media
• video
• games
• children
• teens

[mrbobo978]

I played GTA III when I was 11 because my Dad was well aware of the content, and he felt I was mature enough to handle it.

Fast forward to 2011, I'm now 21 and I've never stolen a car, never punched someone walking on the pavement, never fired a weapon, never hired a prostitue, never gotten involved with drugs, or gangs, or crime etc.

I've never had the urge to do that either, because I'm able to differentiate between reality and video games.

[vgm9319]

To the people who are upset about children pursuing electronic fantasies instead of real life: children aren't allowed to participate in real life anymore, so what, exactly, did you expect?

[LufersCallForDuty]

Everyone needs to chill. I love video games as much as the next guy! but this guy is just talking about possibilities and questioning what will happen in the future. he isn't saying every video game player will become a murderer. He is just posing questions and voicing evidence to show the possibilities are there (the 9/11 thing) he never says "every video game player will become a suicide bomber." He is simply saying the possibility is there. So.... relax people.

[Jeromepsy001]

The only problem I had with video games is loosing my 20/20 vision when i focus my eyes on a screen for an hour but besides that, video games are awesome.

[51Sarge51]

I'm just about start my third year studying criminology at university. From the past two years I have learnt that my lecturers and tutors hate two things; 1. Shithouse projectors and 2. People who argue that violent behaviour is linked to video games. In fact no study has found that violent video games promote delinquent behaviour, rather offending usually originates from the offender's upbringing (family and peer influences, socio economic status etc.).

[crimsonmonieful]

@reggiebush49 Haha. Nice one :D

[aaronleev]

The people that used flight simulators had one goal bring down the World Trade Centers. I dont know about other people but i didnt buy MW3 to learn who to kill someone.

[PsychsHD]

How come all these "experts" are old..? They have probably never been near a game themselves ... -.-

[TheCartographer89]

Thanks man. I really like your videos.

[Sativasoldier666v2]

@Clariccy So you agree that Religion (BIGGER than video games) affect people brains and cause them to kill as well? if this is a reason, why don't we rid the world of religion? " It affects the brain and mind, if you want it to or not." if you teach the difference between reality and fiction to a child, nobody will be in trouble, I quote Anonymous "If video games causes you to kill, does Monopoly cause you to become a millionaire?"

[snapgab]

Ant 5 year olds learning karate isn't bad?