In the last decades we have witnessed the incredible avalanche of changes in relation to technology. In addition, more and more teenagers or children are asking for a new Smartphone or the latest game console on the market as a gift.

We are immersed in the technological era and, therefore, it is important to know all the necessary information to manage the difficulties that may arise from this fact, as well as the concerns that arise from the role of parents.

That is why, in view of the alarm bells that are raised from time to time when it is claimed that video games encourage violent behaviour in children, one might ask… do video games have a harmful influence on children?

Is playing video games that bad?

Undoubtedly, one of the most widespread phenomena in recent years in the world of children’s and young people’s entertainment has been that of FORTNITE . For those of you who are here and haven’t heard of it (which is probably true for a few of you), it’s a video game in which the user-player controls the survivors of a world full of zombies. Users must cooperate with other humans to protect their fortresses from the undead who are trying to control the earth. In some versions of the game players can compete with each other and take out other humans.

Its main success lies in the simplicity of the game, how dynamic it is and the intensity with which it is played. In addition, being able to play online with other players adds an extra factor and that is that children and teenagers can not only have fun playing but can also play from home with their friends without them being there.

Video games can bring many positive aspects, such as training, retention of certain knowledge and development of motor skills ; although it is true that the type of game influences the positive aspects it can bring.

There are numerous games on the market that promote the development of superior cognitive skills , such as: Tetris, Big Brain Academy, World of goo and The Witness. Some games also require strategy and reflex development. However, not only is the type of content displayed important, but also the hours spent on this type of leisure activity, since those hours spent are displacing hours that could be spent on other healthier or more productive activities (schoolwork, reading, sports, etc.).

The habituation to violence

It’s important that we are aware that even in some types of violent video games you can extract something positive, such as strategy skills and learning a new language (when the language of the game is other than your native one), although the continued display of violent content is related to greater habituation to violence. That is, people who are used to seeing this kind of content end up getting used to it until they finally normalize it more than usual.

Does this mean that if my son or daughter plays violent video games he or she will end up engaging in violent behavior? Not necessarily. Although it is true that repeatedly visualizing violence accustoms us to not having so much rejection towards it, does not mean that by playing this type of video games the person will suddenly develop a psychopathological and violent behavior . For this to happen, more factors, both biological and environmental, must be taken into account.

However, there is a greater risk of “accepting” this type of behaviour as “acceptable”. We could say, therefore, that it is a risk factor, but it is not enough in itself.

Conclusion

There is still quite a lot of controversy as to whether the viewing of violent content in video games is related to the subsequent development of aggressive behaviour, although what seems clear is that the content to which we are exposed affects our perceptions, thoughts, opinions and attitudes to a greater or lesser extent.

It seems clear therefore that, despite the fact that there is no clear or causal relationship, the content of video games has an influence on the users who consume them. This does not mean that it is the cause of the subsequent development of violent behaviour , but rather that numerous factors, both biological and social and family, should be taken into account.

The most important thing is that we control the hours that children and teenagers spend playing this type of games , trying to make it an “extra” after having done their homework or other mandatory activities and not neglecting other types of leisure that do not include sedentary life and social isolation, as well as to avoid addiction to video games.

The use of video consoles or electronic devices can be positive, as long as we also control the content of them or we are aware of whether there are changes in the behavior of our children that can give us “a warning” that something is wrong; in that case, the ideal thing is to contact a psychologist. At Mariva Psychologists we will be happy to evaluate the situation and, if necessary, intervene to improve and solve it.

Bibliographic references:

  • Feliu, J., Gil, A. and Bona, Y. (2005). The relationship between video games and aggression: an intricate controversy of dubious resolution. Electronic Arts Spanish Web “Learn and play with EA”.