Violence and videogames: we look at the studies cited in the aftermath of Sandy Hook

In the wake of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School last week, it’s understandable that people would look to place blame. Many in the media have been quick to suggest a link between shooter Adam Lanza’s interest in videogames and the violence he perpetrated. Does the evidence support their claims?

[Bigpappy]

I will say this as long as people keep submitting these media clips: If they keep focusing on video games as a reason for this guy killing those at this school and his mom, they will never reach the reason why the kids were targeted and why the guy snapped. It has NOTHING to do with video games.

[TongkatAli]

Starcraft is a RTS game not a shooter.

[dok22]

If they want to talk about banning video games then they might as well ban every violent rated R movie.. hell even ban albums with explicit lyrics.. I'm tired of the media and failed parenting pointing fingers every where else except themselves.. maybe lock your guns away from your kids.. hey even stop being selfish and think ..maybe I shouldn't keep this gun in the reach of my mentally ill teen.. or in any case any child. Fine lets get rid of all guns.. then you know what happens next.. you will see stabbings rise.. they need to get to the core of the problem which is mental help..

[KrisButtar]

well something similiar happened in the uk in 1996 and they banned guns and guess what, there have been no more school shootings.

heres the link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthi...

[Nevers0ft]

The media should take a long hard look at itself - for years psychologists have been saying that the sensationalising these mass murders can often act as a catalyst for the next one. The best way to report it is to keep it low-key and DON'T discuss the attackers motives, lifestyle etc, focus on the victims otherwise you're enticing future murderers with notoriety.

[Sp1d3ynut]

That will happen when they stop blaming video games...so in other words, never.

[Griffin4871]

Joke's on the media. Starcraft has nothing to do with shooting up elementary schools.

It's like saying cooking is responsible for violence because you use knives and fire. Video games always have to be the target because nobody wants to blame television.

[League_of_Draven]

What did he eat? Did he eat PB&J sandwiches? If so we might wanna stay away from those violent sandwiches.

[NegativeCreep427]

0:45 "Every major scientific society"...

that supports the same radical, headline-hungry opinion...

"that has studied the question has come to the same answer".

Bias, partialized idiots go along and justify the opinions of other bias, partialized idiots. That is the ultimate message in this video.

[hennessey86]

Well
I have been playing violent video games for a very long time and I have never had the urge to shoot up a school.