Videogames: unhealthy and dangerous

**Shrygue** · November 29th, 2007, 19:01

via Games Industry

A new study from the University of Michigan has concluded that violence depicted on television, in movies and in videogames poses "a serious threat to public health" that is second only to smoking.

"Exposure to violent electronic media has a larger effect than all but one other well known threat to public health. The only effect slightly larger than the effect of media violence on aggression is that of cigarette smoking on lung cancer," said the report.

The research, carried out by L Rowell Huesmann and Brad Bushman, and detailed by Reuters, links a child's exposure to violence with an increased likelihood of actual violence in adulthood, for both males and females.

"Children are also spending an increasingly large amount of time playing video games, most of which contain violence… The research clearly shows that exposure to virtual violence increases the risk that both children and adults will behave aggressively."

The report did admit that not every child exposed to violence will show evidence of increased aggression, but concluded that more controls were needed from parents and society on what children are exposed to.

**risio** · November 29th, 2007, 19:23

Oh but getting drunk, getting behind the wheel, and killing an entire family in another car is 3rd to Mortal Kombat as a public saftey hazard? BS

**Mr Corky** · November 29th, 2007, 19:41

Originally Posted by risio

Oh but getting drunk, getting behind the wheel, and killing an entire family in another car is 3rd to Mortal Kombat as a public saftey hazard? BS

OMFG! So true!

**devdj** · November 29th, 2007, 21:54

This is pure bull$#@!, its our mentality, personality and lifestyle that make us unhealthy and dangerous not violence depicted on television, in movies and in video games, we can be dangerous if we want not because of tv, movies and games etc
whether these jackasses like it not its our own nature to be violent so screw these bullshiters from Michigan

**ExcruciationX** · November 29th, 2007, 22:44

You'd see a lot of blood on the ground if this was true.

*shakes head*

Another classic example of the damn media trying control the world again.

**HymnsomniaK** · November 29th, 2007, 22:47

Basically they spent God knows how much money and time on a study that says that people who play games turn into... unhealthy assassins?? It's an insult to brain-carrying human beings that populate this planet.
I play games since I was 7 years old , let me reassure you that this 'study' is not only nonsense but is also utter and complete BS. Responsibility is an adult's game that is constantly overlooked by these 'studies'. GET REAL is what I say!

**Psyberjock** · November 29th, 2007, 23:01

Does anything good EVER come out of Michigan?

And now this BS coming from the state with the-model-city-on-a-hill--don't-hide-your-candle-under-a-bushel-DETROIT????

I'll put about as much faith into their results as I would horse explaining the positive points to having hooves. Yeah right dude, fingers are WAY better. XD

**armyStrong** · November 29th, 2007, 23:22

What a load...yes, a lot of parents need to get a friggin clue when it comes to their kids, but all of these studies miss the point...
Any idiot could tell you that prolonged exposure to violence will numb you to it, and while children are more susceptible to outside influences than adults, the only guaranteed practice that will keep a child from acting on lessons learned from media violence is good parenting.

I hate useless studies...I mean really...are we any better off now that this study has been released? what a bunch of idiots...

**ExcruciationX** · November 29th, 2007, 23:31

I must admit, I'm actually quite sensitive to violence. Violent games don't bother me, but violent movies do. Maybe they should spend their time looking at other forms as well?