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New study finds that violent video games can be healthy for kids |
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Violent video game play is typical and normal |
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health has found that playing violent video games does not lead to violent behavior in teens.
Researchers looked at more than 1,200 seventh and eight graders who played video games regularly.
"We found that most boys 12-14 years old are playing mature-rated video games, so this idea that 'M' rated games cause shootings or major violence just doesn't hold water," said Cheryl Olson SC.D., Massachusetts General Hospital.
The study also found that violent video games can help teens deal with their emotions like stress and anger.
"We don't know whether playing to get anger out is a good thing or a bad thing for any individual child, but we suspect that it might be healthy for a lot of kids," said Olson.
Moreover, Olson says playing video games is also a social activity.
They're more likely to play with a group of friends in the same room or over the Internet. This stereotype of a solitary violent gamer up in his room wasn't born out, at least in our study," she said.
Researchers say parents should be aware of the games their children play and limit their use by keeping the consoles and computers out of the bedroom.
The final message to parents about video games and their kids:
"It's not going to ruin them, they're not going to go out and pick up a gun. Violent video game play is typical and normal for kids nowadays. That doesn't mean that parents have to like it, but they shouldn't panic about it," said Olson.
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