Video gaming has become a popular activity for people of all ages. Many children and adolescents spend large amounts of time playing them. Video gaming is a multibillion-dollar industry bringing in money more than movies and DVDs. Video gaming has become very realistic, many games are now played online and with other people from different countries. There has been a disagreement about the effects of violent video games on children and adolescents. So the question is; what impact do violent video games hold on children? And how exactly do they affect a child's behavior?.
The future of entertainment revolves around technology. Video games are becoming more and more realistic (The Corner). Studies have shown that children who play constantly violent video games become numb or "immune " to the horror of violence (Drwilda). Also, according to the American Psychological Association; violent video games increase children's aggression (VIN). Dr. Phil, the American television personality, author, psychologist, and the host of his own television show Dr. Phil, explains further, the number one negative effect of violent video games is that children tend to inappropriately resolve anxiety by externalizing it (Dr Phil-Advice). In other words, when a child have anxiety, instead of calming himself or crying and letting it out of his system, he ignores it, or acts aggressively about it. Moreover, researchers found that over time children start to think more aggressively. And when they are provoked at home, school, or any other situation, they will react much like they do in a violent video game (Drwilda). For instance, in 2007 an Ohio teenager shot his parents, killing his mother and wounding his father, after they took away his Xbox (Beato 137). Studies have also shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the influence is on children. The repeated practice of aggressive ways of thinking has long term effects on children (VVG Pros & Cons).