Title: Violence, Crime, and Violent Video Games: Is There a Correlation?
Headings: Violence, Crime, and Violent Video Games: Is There a Correlation?
Violence, Crime, and Violent Video Games: Is There a Correlation?
Impact of video games on behavior
Conflicting findings
Video games and criminality
Conclusion
Disclosures:
References:

Content: These various studies suggest that despite an increase in aggressiveness, violence in video games could be the cause of a reduction in criminality. Moreover, it appears that the relationship between media and crime is more complex than that revealed by experimental studies. Although it has been suggested that several mass murderers were influenced by violent video games, scientific data do not support any causal link between exposure to video game violence and school shootings. 26 Furthermore, no evidence was found of the use of violent video games by the perpetrators of mass homicide. 27
Conclusion
The concerns about the effects of violent video games on aggressive thought patterns, emotions, and behavior are justified. Until now, no study has been able to show that exposure to violent digital games is associated with an increase in criminality, aggressiveness, or violent behavior. Nevertheless, these paradoxical results are not incompatible. There is indeed a tremendous difference between aggressiveness and hetero-aggressive outburst. It is likely that the answer lies in the complexity of the concept of committing an act. Exposure to violent video games could be one factor, among many others, in a constellation of parameters leading an individual to commit an aggressive act.