Although video games are usually considered to be harmless fun, several underlying issues exist
regarding the way in which they promote violence among its users. Some of the top selling video games
of 2010, including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and God of War 3 are all
highly violent video games. Content analyses show that violence is present in most video games and that
a majority of 4
th
to 8
th
grade children prefer games with violent content.
1
Studies have shown that playing
violent video games induces increased aggressive thoughts and behaviors.
“The latest brain research
shows that violent games activate the anger center of the teenage brain while dampening the
brain’s conscience.”
2
Video games promote violence through the desensitization to violence,
the inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, and encouraging the gamer to use
violence as a method of establishing control.
The initial reaction of shock or disgust triggered by the violent images is progressively reduced
