Violent video-game makers have a real-world villain to contend with: the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The organization has issued a new Virtual Violence policy statement, published this month on its website and in the upcoming August issue of Pediatrics, that includes recommendations for all stakeholders — pediatricians, parents, policymakers, the media and the entertainment industry — on children’s exposure to violent media.
Among the AAP’s recommendations: that policymakers push forward legislation regarding minors’ easy access to violent media; pediatricians work with the entertainment industry in show and game creation; and the news media discuss the virtual violence and real-world aggression connection much like the link between secondhand smoke and health risks. The academy also recommends parents limit the amoumt of violent content their kids are exposed to — noting that video games are particularly concerning because 3D technology creates an immersive experience. Virtual reality headsets, for example, could lead to war-like gaming scenarios for children.
There’s currently no definitive link between screen and real-world violence like school shootings, but the AAP cites analyses from 2002, 2006 and 2010 in an article on its website by the policy’s lead author, Dimitri A. Christakis. One analysis of 400 studies showed a notable link between media violence exposure and aggressive behavior and thoughts, among other responses. One study even revealed that the link between screen violence and real-world aggression link is stronger than that between secondhand smoke exposure and lung cancer.
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Pediatrics Organization Warns Against Screen Violence originally appeared on usnews.com
