Young children, can show behavioral abnormalities, if they are habituated to excessive viewing of violent video games. This was reported by a study conducted recently at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Teenagers exposed to violent video games are less inclined to be self controlled and poised and more emotionally excitable.
In the study,44 teenagers were studied using MRI scanners.They were assigned to watch violent or non violent video games randomly, for half an hour.Then,minute metabolic variations in the activity of the brain were closely monitored .The teenagers who were assigned to watch violent varieties of video games showed a definite change in the MRI image, signaling a significant arousal in emotional level. Also the area that controls focus, concentration and self control showed a depression.The children who were not allowed to watch violent clippings did not show any such changes.
These studies definitely point out that grossly violent content in video games is definitely detrimental for young children. The video game industry in the U.S notches profits that exceed 13 billion. The attempts by well meaning law makers to ban such shockingly violent video games have been squashed by courts across the U.S in Michigan, Minnesota, California, Louisiana, and Illinois. These days video games that come with a T-rating are considered befitting for teenagers. But it has to be brought to mind, that such videos may have explicit content, violence or suggestive material. A number of researches have now warned, that repeated exposure to violent content may result in very aggressive behavior.
Imaging technology offers a breakthrough to understand deeper changes associated with viewing violent and gory content.Now,researchers are using advanced imaging technology to scan the brain for clues to find whether violent video games cause long lasting changes in the brain.
Source-Medindia
MST
