Would you rather your child kill animals or people in video games?

Would you rather your child kill animals or people in video games? Would it make a difference to how the violent game play will impact their aggression in real life?

 Around 95% of video games portray violence. We generally think of this violence in terms of remorseless massacring of people to death. However games also normalise the mistreatment and killing of animals.

Does all online violence have the same effect on kids or only violence that is directed at human characters?

 Does killing creatures in games impact how kids will treat animals in real life?

All violence in videogames is not the same

-       The violence and aggression seen in video games can take physical, sexual, emotional and/or verbal form.

-       If a child is playing an R rated gamed the the violence they in the game will be intense, bloody and may include sexual violence.

Impact of violent video games on children

Some studies show that violent video games cause antisocial attitudes towards other people. Other studies show that violent game play has no impact on a child’s behaviour outside of the game. Some studies show that a video game allows a child to release their aggression in a safe way- as opposed to releasing their aggression in the playground on other kids.

It’s the message that’s important

The issue is also not necessarily whether it is directed at a human or animal. It’s not necessarily using the weapons and seeing the blood that impacts kids either. The hidden messages within these actions is what’s important and what impacts kids.

Let me explain.

Below are the four most common types of violence in games. The more these actions occur in a game, the stronger the message to your child. If these actions occur across games your child plays the message will be even stronger. If your child has a particular sensitivity for example they are scared of dogs, or love digs, the message on them about harming animals will be even more intense.

Know your child’s videogame

Be aware of the games your child plays, the types of violence in the games and the messages we should make our kids aware of.

 1. Help your child to notice things in their games that have become second nature, eg animals should be treated badly.

2. Help them to notice the violence the game requires them to take part in against people, how it expects them to treat animals and women.

3. Help them notice that their game sends the message that violence solve issues.

If they are not pointed out then they can fly under the radar and be considered ‘normal’. These conversations will support your child to be digitally literate. This will help them be more in control of videogame violence and the effect it will have on them.