Violent games’ actual effects remain unclear

NEW YORK – It’s hard to find clear answers in the debate between the makers of video games and activists who claim the electronic diversions are destroying an entire generation.

One side claims there is no evidence the games have any damaging psychological effect on people who play them. The other says the link between game-playing and aggression is as strong as the link between cigarettes and cancer.

A 2001 report by the surgeon general wasn’t much help: While noting media violence had a small effect on physical aggression and a moderate impact on “aggressive thinking,” it concluded by saying, “The impact of video games on violent behavior remains to be determined.”

The industry often cites a 2000 Washington State Department of Health study that found “research evidence is not supportive of a major public concern that violent video games lead to real-life violence.”

Another 2000 report in the Applied Developmental Psychology journal found that “the overall picture that emerges from the present pattern of findings is that computer game play is one manifestation of an active and well-adjusted lifestyle.”

Gaming opponents also have sources: A 2000 report from six health care organizations said preliminary studies “indicate the negative impact may be significantly more severe than that wrought by television, movies, or music.”