The games may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language ("ESRB"). The games "Counterstrike" and "Assassin's Creed" are rated "M" for Mature. Mature ratings contain content that is generally suitable for ages 17 and up ("ESRB"). The games may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language ("ESRB"). Though these games come with a rating and caution, they are still the most popular among video games played by youth (DeLisi). Even games rated E for "Everyone" contain gun-violence (Hartmann, Krakowajak, and Tsay-Vogel).
With such high levels of exposure to violent content in games, it is crucial to understand the impact that this can have on children and adolescents. To try to argue that games containing violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and strong language do not have a negative affect on youth is senseless. That is why researchers have gone above and beyond to prove how and why these violent video games effect today's youth. A study conducted by Christopher Ferguson set out to find the facts about these effects. Seventh and Eighth grade boys and girls were questioned, examined, and studied (Ferguson). The results showed that nearly 50% of the children had recently played a M-rated game (Ferguson). From there the study shows that there is little parental involvement when it comes to these games (Ferguson). The study draws that a significant amount of stress is put on the player and this, therefore, has an affect on the later outcomes of playing violent video games (Ferguson). As the study concludes, it is stated that exposure to violence in video games, with additional stress and trait aggression, can have a negative effect on bullying and delinquency (Ferguson).
Further evidence that exposure to such violence effects youth negatively is provided by the article "How Violent Video Games Communicate Violence.
