#2 Secret of the Parenting Universe Revealed: (Hint: Video Games and Violence)

"About 90 percent of U.S. kids ages 8 to 16 play video games, and they spend about 13 hours a week doing so (more if you're a boy). Now a new study suggests virtual violence in these games may make kids more aggressive in real life." (Pediatrics journal, November 2008)

Surprised? After years of us parents having no clue :), this study shows that kids who play violent video games ARE more aggressive in real life. Ohhhh, and all this time I thought letting my kid immerse himself in hours and hours of uninterrupted violence, killing human prey or enemies by gun, knife, chain saw, explosives--whatever--was a GOOD thing. Wow, my bad.

My whole world doesn't make sense now.

I have some experience in research so I always love when a study says something like this one does, "Japanese children rated their own behavior in terms of physical aggression, such as hitting, kicking or getting into fights with other kids; the U.S. children rated themselves too, but the researchers took into account reports from their peers and teachers as well."

Well that is proof enough for me! Kids self-assessing along with teachers (not parents??) and peers (who don't want to rat out their friend)--now those are FACTS you can stand on. One researcher described this study as "pretty good evidence" of a link between virtual and real life violence. Huh?

Okay, so this study suffers from "stating the obvious-itis." That aside, it does offer us some good reminders of the potential downside to
violent video games:

* Kids could internalize the message that the world is hostile and acting aggressively is on OK way to deal.

* Kids could become de-sensitized to violence, emotionally numb. This makes it easier for kids to become violent.

* The pervasiveness of violence in media has led to a "culture of disrespect"
in which children get the message that it's acceptable to treat one another rudely and even aggressively.

Here are some things you can do:

1) For YEARS all good parents have felt "conflicted" between letting our kids do what they like--playing video games with fake people, and making them do what they don't like--playing outside with other real people. Nevertheless...outside is good. Kids now just don't readily get the whole "outside" excitement thing because it is new to them. Push them OUT--and join them to insure optimum fun.

2) Limit time on video games. You have the right to do this.

3) Especially with young kids, keep the game system in a public area where you can observe and monitor.

4) Abide by game ratings. (Make sure games are appropriate for your child.)

So dads, I guess we should no longer count on bonding moments with our sons shouting "Head shot, son! Shoot him in the head!" Let's hear a collective, aaaawwwwww. :) NOW, what are we supposed to bond over with our kids????

Okay, so another secret of the parenting universe is revealed...at least until the next study comes out and contradicts it. I expect that before Christmas :)

Here are some books to learn more about our digital kids and the effect of violent media upon them:
Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do
101 Movie Clips That Get Families Talking
Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World HC
Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives

Related topics and posts:
Violence
Risky Bevavior
Better monitor and better control your child's video game playing, click on this link: Video game playing guidelines and advice!

To see the original article, click on this link: Violent video games linked to child aggression