On a email list I subscribe to there was a debate about the contribution of violent video games to the levels of violence in society, with one participant pointing out that correlation doesn't equal causation. While this axiom is true, Lt. Col. David Grossman does present some interesting, relevant information in his seminar.
Grossman presented some research from a successful program called "Take the Challenge" which removes TV and video games from kids. In particular, he referenced a 2003 article from the Indiana University School of Medicine's Drs. Matthews and Kronenberger that showed how kids 13-17 exposed to lots of violence through the media (TV and video games) had impaired function in the pre-frontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that is "responsible for controlling behavior, controlling impulsive urges, thinking about future consequences and decision-making."
So, plop an already unstable mind in a high-violence environment for 30+ hours a week and don't be surprised when that person makes the leap from fantasy to reality with disastrous consequences. Clearly violent video games don't turn everyone into violent murderers in real life, but it seems from recent events that people who already have mental health issues, and who are on psychotropic drugs, probably shouldn't be exposed to violent media.
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