A study by Ofcom has found that two thirds of surveyed children aged 12-15 claim that videogames affect their behavior more than television or movies. It seems that a lot of kids believe games make them more aggressive.
The survey questioned over 2000 parents and children to find out how the use of technology was changing, and found that the bedrooms of many children are turning into "multi-media centers" with Internet access, digital cameras, mobile phones and more all on tap. Bloody little wankers have it better than I ever did. It also showed that parents fail to regulate their children's online habits, trusting them to look after themselves. Lovely.
While a child saying "this makes me aggressive" isn't exactly crucial scientific evidence, it's still interesting to see so many children admit it. However, one has to consider what kind of questions were asked and how the children interpreted them -- a child who fails a lot in a videogame becomes agitated and throws tantrums (having younger brothers, I know this all too well) so of course they'd find their behavior affected in that respect.
I would be surprised if a child's interpretation of "do videogames make you aggressive?" was as Leland Yee's or Jack Thompson's.
[MaxVest has graciously provided a link to the report. The relevant study is found on page 49.]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
47 comments | showing # 1 to 47
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
1:36 PM on 05.16.2008
| 
I doubt kids that age can really tell and are probably saying that stuff at the influence of their parents.
And what the fuck?! Multi-media centers? Even when pagers were the thing everyone had I never had one. I didn't even get a cell-phone until I was 21. Parents spoil their kids.
Man I sound old.
http://spacehaggis.com/the-space-haggis-bible/the-space-haggis-bible/]read the bible![/url]
Your space ambassador
Alfie Haggis
Your space ambassador
Alfie Haggis
OK!
As for gaming making people more aggressive I can see why. It made me into a more competitive agressive person which isnt actually a bad thing because I try harder when studying for tests to beat everyone.
I myself recall times when I was alot younger and my dad or older sister would come in with a paper showing an article on "how games are bad for your brain" and they'd smugly go read this.After awhile I seriuosly began thinking about whether playing alot of games was having a detremental effect on me but then I started doing my own research, and found out that most of these "scientific studies" are total bull.Not to mention that I have yet to commit any serious crimes.
there is no doubt in my mind that gaming has affected me... i was a very aggressive kid and i am almost positive that i wouldnt have been if it were not for games.
that being said, i am now 25, have a career, a girlfriend, and a life - i also have been in no trouble with the law. but the key point to that is - thats just me, there are no doubt alot of people that will not outgrow that tween/teen agression.
I am not saying ban videogames or anything but yes...they are an influence on children. It's up to parents to regulate that influence.
However, if you're going to do that, at least have the decency to quote Daniel Stern in Home Alone: "He's a kid. Kids are stupid."
More evidence that parents should take more of an interest in what their kids are playing.
Are you saying that it affects your child's behaviour in that they become agitated/excited while playing and get mad at failing repeatedly?
Or are you saying you can see a long-term change in their attitude toward other people and general behaviour?
I honestly don't see how a game can affect the way a child behaves and forms relationships in society, all too often the immediate and short-term attitude changes that frankly we all display from time to time are studied and subsequent reports misconstrued as having a longer term effect.
It's normal behavior though, and usually short-term. It's when people start becoming aggressive and violent in inappropriate scenarios that the behavior becomes an issue, and while games and other entertainment may make kids pretend they're invincible radioactive cyborgs for half an hour afterwards, I just don't think that particular factor alone causes significant psychological issues later on. Again, it's much more dependent on the parents and other adult role models than what kids see pixels doing on a screen.
I didn't discredit it, I simply stated that a child's idea of aggression would not be the same as an anti-games lobbyists. The Telegraph, for example, said "videogames cause violence, children admit." I don't think that's the right interpretation one should draw from this study.
"Although research has failed to demonstrate conclusively a proven link between violent games and violent behaviour in children, children themselves clearly share the wider public concern around this issue. A possible factor in this is the high ongoing level of media coverage of violent crimes, where game playing is alleged to have been a factor."
However, I guess sports still have the upper hand in that they don't make you fat.
Um, yes...if I let my son play GTA then he is going to hear inappropriate words that he may very well repeat. Does that affect his social development? Of course it does. I was playing Halo 3 the other day and some 9 year old kids came into our server, I had to leave because I was so disgusted that the other adults were swearing without any thought of the kids in the game(not to mention that the game is too violent for a 9 yr. old even before the online experience). Are kids impacted by what they are exposed to? Yes...whether its movies, videogames or the adults around the,. I challenge any parent on here to suggest otherwise...they know better.
Anyways, about behaviors... well, games may expose kids to more violence and everything else (if parents let 'em play inappropriate games). And failing at a game can be really frustrating and can make them angry (like everyone else).
But, I also believe that kids will "be exposed to violence" even without games: if I turn on the TV all I see is: "war in Iraq, parents throws kid from the window, death, murder, tragedies...". So everyone is getting exposed to violence daily, being a gamer or not.
Well that does not mean that a parent should capitulate and abdicate their responsibilities. Yes, children will always be exposed to negative things no matter how we parents may try to protect them. However, that does not mean that parents should throw their hands up in the air, let their child play Bioshock, listen to mature rap songs and watch the Saw movies. It is a parent's job to try their best to filter...even if they can't do it 100% successfully.
Bottom line...
I do not believe in censoring videogames or stopping mature games from being developed.
I do appreciate a rating system, though imperfect, that helps me make decisions as a parent.
I do laugh at those who would suggest that children are not influenced by mature content in videogames, movies or music.
I am with those of you who don't believe in blaming videogames for all society's evils...but I am not with you if you suggest that they are harmless.
Parents need to parent.
And yes, I know what you mean when you talk about playing stuff online. I recently took the plung and purchased myself a 360. First time I take GTA IV online I hear a bunch kids talking about how they were going to rape each others parents in the ass. Not one of them sounded like they were old enough to have even discovered what an erection was, let alone anything else.
Seconded.
I'd say that VGs influenced my behavior if I was 10 and got paid with a monetary amount that I'd never physically seen in one bill before.
Violence in VG can have more impact on peoples behavior than violence in t.v. or in films.
strongly agree, slightly agree, neither/dont know, disagree.
only 24% of kids 12-15 from a limited pool (Of which half of them were puberty aged super estrogenized females btw)picked strongly agree.
Meh.
Put the controller down !!!!
The Power Of Christ Compels You !!!!
Put the controller down !!!!