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Video Games and Television: Is this the End of Us?

            Our society has been influenced by the effects of media since innovations such as the radio, television, computer, and the internet. These mediums not only illustrate the incredible technological and scientific advancements, but also demonstrate the desire to continuously progress. Though this progress will ultimately enable humans to lead simpler lives, this new age brings a lot of dire consequences as well. With the internet simply a tap away, we are able to access almost anything with the click of a button. But is everything we see necessarily benefitting us? And what does this mean for the upcoming generations?

            In a study done by James A. Anderson of University of Utah, he explores the effects of media on aggression and violence in teenagers. With more than 900 references dating from 1921 to 2004, he claims that those who engage in viewing violent content, whether it be from television, video games, computer games, or films, are more likely to reflect those attitudes and enact them than those who don’t. Though these findings range from 1-10% in power, there’s been confounding research on the topic of media and its effects on mental health.

            In another longitudinal study Early Exposure to Media Violence and Later Child Adjustment published in 2012, researchers Fitzpatrick and colleagues studied the long-term effects of violent and aggressive television on children as young as 6 or 7 years of age. In the study, parents were first asked to describe the content of TV shows children watched, and about 70% reported that their children do indeed watch some type of violence on a daily basis. Social psychologists and cognitive theories suggest that children who are exposed to violent and aggressive media will become desensitized with time and will displace those behaviors and attitudes onto others. In doing so, they won’t feel any sort of sympathy towards the victim nor will they associate their acts as being wrong. Rather, their aggressive demeanor towards their peers would go on to be strengthened and directed towards their family members and partners as they age.

            In terms of long-term mental health, researchers studied the children’s academic abilities over a period of time. Those who were exposed to violent media more than their counterparts were reported by their teachers to be less engaging in class, less attentive, and scored lower on subject tests. They were also reported to display antisocial behavior amongst their peers and were more likely to be victims of emotional distress as well. This in turn affected their long-term behaviors and attitudes as well. As kids who were overexposed to violent and aggressive media, they were far more predisposed to severe mental trauma as adults, developing depression, anxiety, antisocialism, etc.     

Another longitudinal study done by Johnson and colleagues is one of the first of its kind to link television exposure to aggression in not only adolescents but adults as well. The research, with a large sample size and controlled external factors, was able to identify this correlation. However, it is not solely the mere exposure to television that gives rise to aggressive and violent behavior, but the viewing of violent content that is the primary source. In her own study of media violence and aggression, she was also able to deduce that the content of media exposure plays a significant role in the behaviors and attitudes of people of all ages. The more kids and adults are to engage in video games like COD, Grand Theft Auto, and Battlefield, the more likely they are to displace behaviors such as random outbursts, verbal and physical abuse, agitation, irritation, etc.

            Media violence and aggression has manifested itself within our society in ways that seem normal to us, and movies and video games absorb a large part of that normality. What would movies be without the protagonist blowing things up while saving the world and getting the girl simultaneously? And who doesn’t play COD these days? Violent and aggressive content is present every time we turn on the TV, open a book, play a game, even go to school. Though this social norm is a part of our society, there are ways of reducing exposure to this type of content. Researchers suggest that parents limit the time their kids spend either watching television or playing video games, incorporating different genres of shows and games, encouraging them to get involved in either in extracurricular activities or sports, or even just spend more time with the family.

Fitzpatrick, Caroline, Tracie Barnett, and Linda Pagani. "Early Exposure to Media Violence and Later Child Adjustment." Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 33.4 (2012): 291-97. Web.