Medical and Health Experts Agree Video Game Violence Contributes to Aggressive Behavior in Youth

Minneapolis – The National Summit on Video Games, Youth and Public Policy, sponsored by the National Institute on Media and the Family and Iowa State University, was called a success by summit organizers and participants. The summit was the first time academic scholars, public health officials, child health advocates and the video game industry had come together to discuss the health and psychological impact of violent and sexually explicit video games on children and the current rating system.

Held on the University of Minnesota-Saint Paul campus, the summit examined the current and emerging trends related to video game rating systems, education policy and government regulation. Participants included Patricia Vance of the Entertainment Software Rating Board, Jeff McIntyre of the American Psychological Association and Dr. David Walsh of the National Institute on Media and the Family.

“For the first time ever, academic scholars, medical experts, child health advocates and representatives from the video game industry had a thoughtful discussion on the video game rating system and research on the impact these games have on our children,” said Dr. David Walsh. “The discussion was very helpful for everyone involved, and I look forward to continued dialogue as we seek solutions that steer our children toward positive games and away from negative games.”

“It was remarkable to see the cooperation and collaboration among the Summit participants,” said Dr. Douglas Gentile of Iowa State University. "I am optimistic that if researchers and health experts continue to have a meaningful dialogue with the video game industry, we can make great strides in improving the ratings, public education about how important it is to use the ratings, and in creating public policies that make sense."

Before adjourning, the summit’s academic, medical and health experts and organizations agreed to a joint statement regarding the effects of violent video games on children and youth. The statement read:

“Behavioral science research demonstrates that playing violent video games can increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior in children and youth.”

The following experts and organizations signed the statement:

• David Walsh, Ph.D., National Institute on Media and the Family
• Craig Anderson, Ph.D., Iowa State University
• Joanne Cantor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
• Karen Dill, Ph.D., Lenoir-Rhyne College
• Eileen Espejo, Children Now
• Jeanne Funk, Ph.D., University of Toledo
• Douglas Gentile, Ph.D., Iowa State University
• Dale Kunkel, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Bob McCannon, The Action Coalition for Media Education
• Michael Rich, M.D., MPH; Center on Media and Child Health Harvard University
• Dorothy Singer, Ph.D., Yale University
• Common Sense Media
• Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
• Bradley Greenberg, Michigan State University

In the coming weeks, the summit participants will release a 10-year plan, which will outline benchmarks and creative solutions to addressing children’s access to violent and sexually explicit video games. One component of the plan calls for an annual summit so interested parties can continue their dialogue.

The National Institute on Media and the Family is an independent non-partisan, non-sectarian, nonprofit organization. The Institute’s mission is to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm mass media have on children through research and education. For more information, visit www.mediawise.org.

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