Effects of violent video games in children

Playing violent video games is different from playing positive, constructive games. In fact, violent videogames have an even more powerful influence than violent television and movies, whose detrimental effects have been documented for decades

. While violent videogames may promote some complex problem solving and coordination skills as well, they have multiple negative effects

. Here are three related to moral functioning.

First, in violent video game play the player learns to associate violence with pleasure (rewards for hurting another character). This undermines moral sensitivity. Under normal conditions, human emotional wiring is designed to abhor violence and feel rewarded for helping others. Those who play violent video games build opposite intuitions that they take into the rest of life (I can see the effects in our society, can you?). Which intuitions would you rather your child have?

Second, children practice over and over the actions available in a game. The player practices violent behavior hundreds if not thousands of times, much more practice than normal activities receive. Whatever a person practices repeatedly becomes an automatic response. Violent games teach children how to behave like a criminal and to intentionally hurt others (e.g., burning people alive in Postal2). Is this what you want your children to be practicing for hours on end?

Third, video games can be addictive 

because they give immediate rewards for learning. Child and adolescent brains are typically susceptible to addictions as their brains are under development till the middle 20s. Recent brain research is suggesting that any addictive behavior (drugs, alcohol, pornography, gambling, violence) can harm the final stages of brain development in young adults, leaving them with a less than mature decision making system and diminished empathy for others. 

Top 3 of the richest professional video games players in the world

1. Carlos 'Ocelote' Ramírez




This young Spaniard, only 24 years old, is
considered one of the players who more money is estimated than the year in a
medium of 743,000 euros ($ 950,000), for vitiating the League of Legends.


2. Danil "Dendi" Ishutin




Ukrainian 25 years old who already has
604,000 dollars in his possession. He is known to be a creative and
unconventional player in the game. Recruited by Natus Vincere and one of the
best in the Dota 2 game.


3. Johnathan Wendel





33 year old One of the best players in the
world and a fortune of $ 454,919. One difference from the others, John is not
the best for a single game, but for his ability in several: Quake, Call of
Duty, Doom 3, UnrealTorunament, among others.

History of video games

The history of video games goes as far back as the early 1950s, when academic computer scientists began designing simple games and simulations as part of their research or just for fun. At M.I.T. in the 1960s, professors and students played games such as 3D tic-tac-toe and Moon Landing. These games were played on computer such as the IBM 1560, and moves were made by means of punch cards. Video gaming did not reach mainstream popularity until the 1970s and 1980s, when video arcade games and gaming consoles using joysticks, buttons, and other controllers, along with graphics on computer screens and home computer games were introduced to the general public.


Since the 1980s, video gaming has become a popular form of entertainment and a part of modern popular culture in most parts of the world. One of the early games was Spacewar!, which was developed by computer scientists. Early arcade video games developed from 1972 to 1978. During the 1970s, the first generation of home consoles emerged, including the popular game Pong and various "clones". The 1970s was also the era of mainframe computer games. The golden age of arcade video games was from 1978 to 1982.