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Isabel Meyer
Lohmeyer
English 101
27 November 2016

Technology and Violence

Everyday we are exposed to technology. On average people spend 27 hours a week online (Telegraph).
Even if you dont have a phone or television its likely your friends do. According to Nielsens National
Television Household Universe Estimates, there are 118.4 million TV homes in the U.S(Nielsen). Most of the
time we cannot control the type of content we are exposed to. Nearly everyone in my grade has a smartphone,
and I guarantee that if you ask most teens what item they couldnt live without they would say their phones.
With violent video games, graphic content, and access to any information fathomable, I started to wonder
whether technology affects our temperament. Since we are constantly surrounded by this content, engage in it,
or observe it; could it makes us more violent? How does it affect adolescents and adults? There has been
evidence as to how technology affects behavior, yet the topic of technology and violence is fairly new. We know
prolonged exposure to violent or inappropriate content has short-term effects on behavior, and may make you
feel more irritable However, so far there is yet to be substantial evidence showing a long-term connection
between technology and violence.
The research on the link between violence and technology has had varied results. Some people claim it
has zero to little effect, while others believe there is a significant connection. "I think we need to be honest that
the evidence is all over the place," said Chris Ferguson, the department chair of technology at Florida's Stetson
University(CNN). Most people believe that certain content affects behavior, making people more violent and
irritable; With the rise in new technologies, such as tablets and new gaming platforms, children and
adolescents increasingly are exposed to what is known as virtual violence. This form of violence is not
experienced physically; rather, it is experienced in realistic ways via new technology and ever more intense and
realistic games.(AAP) . Many scientists and academics whove studied this matter, feel there needs to be more

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research done to establish whether or not there is a link between violence and technology. "The statistical data
is simply not bearing out this concern and should not be ignored."(BBC). I personally believe there is a
connection between violence/irritability and technology, even if it only effects your temperament short term.
Its hard to believe constant exposure to violent content doesnt affect your behavior.
Most young children have access to the Internet. They can access graphic information and play violent
video games; unless their parents place restrictions. Children between the ages of eight and 18 spend an average
of 7 hours and 38 minutes a day with digital media(Learning Works). Before the age of 4 children cannot
distinguish fact and fantasy, if they see violence in a movie theyre likely to assume its a natural occurrence
(American Academy of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry). Parents may not even be aware their child is
watching violent content, even heroes use guns and fight bad guys. While their child is watching a superhero
cartoon theyre also seeing a form of conflict resolution, violence. On average About 90 percent of U.S. kids
ages 8 to 16 play video games, and they spend about 13 hours a week doing so(CNN), and 71 percent of
video games contained at least some mild violence, while 25 percent included intense violence, blood and
gore.(The Washington Times). The effects of exposure to violence on television can make children less
sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, more fearful of the world around them, and more likely to behave
in aggressive or harmful ways toward others(APA par. 2). 98% of American households have TVs, prime time
portrays 3 to 5 violent acts per hour, and children's Saturday morning programming offers 20 to 25 violent acts
per hour.(Successful Parent) It would be hard to stop a child from watching TV or from playing video games.
But as Craig A. Anderson put it "One major conclusion from this and other research on violent entertainment
media is that content matters. So whether it be TV or a video game parents need to be aware of the adverse
effects. This way they are able to take precautions and prevent violence among their children.
It has still been difficult to provide substantial evidence that provides an evident conclusion because this
topic is still fairly new. Because of that, many people might not believe technology affects temperament even
short term. Some even believe video games can increase cognitive skills. A 2013 review of published studies
found that playing shooter video games improved a players capacity to think about objects in three dimensions,

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just as well as academic courses to enhance these same skills, according to the study.(Psych Central). But even
these researchers understand video games can influence behavior.
Important research has already been conducted for decades on the negative effects of gaming, including
addiction, depression and aggression, and we are certainly not suggesting that this should be ignored,
however, to understand the impact of video games on childrens and adolescents development, a more
balanced perspective is needed.(Psych Central)
Said Isabela Granic, Ph.D.. Yes the masses who play video games would disagree that they may increase
irritability and violence, and yes there are still many factors that could influence just how much violent content
affects someone.
Though research has been done with varied results, links have been found between violent content and
cognitive thinking. A report released by the APA concluded, The research demonstrates a consistent relation
between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behavior, aggressive cognitions and aggressive
affect, and decreases in pro-social behavior, empathy and sensitivity to aggression.(ZME) Violence is
everywhere we go. You turn on the television, and violence is there. You go to a movie, and violence is there,
reality is distorted. If you live in a fictional world, then the fictional world becomes your reality.(Psychiatric
Times) Even if the link between violence and violent content isnt strong, its widely acknowledged among
academics and psychologists. As Dr. Mark Coulson told BBC "I fully acknowledge that exposure to repeated
violence may have short-term effects - you would be a fool to deny that - but the long-term consequences of
crime and actual violent behavior, there is just no evidence linking violent video games with that"(BBC). So
whether or not academics are convinced, they are smart enough to acknowledge the affects violent content has
on behavior.
Violent content doesnt pose as big of a threat to adults as it does teens and children. Almost all of the
articles Ive found have explored how violent content affects children. The American Psychiatric Association
reported that adolescents will have viewed 16,000 simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence by the age of
18. (Successful Parent) Adolescents are also more impressionable, our minds are vulnerable, dynamic, and
highly responsive to positive feedback(Smithsonian). Would this not also include negative feedback? Your

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adolescent years are the time when youre most easily influenced so it makes sense that teens are acting out
after playing violent video games. In many schools across America bullying has become a very prevalent
problem, yes there have been bullies throughout history, however bullying has reached new heights. Could this
be partially due to virtual violence?
This type of content surrounds us and we know it influences our behavior to some extent, especially the
behavior of our youths. Yes it might not pose as big of a threat to some but we should still be aware as to how it
can affect people. Though some may disagree on the link between violence and violent content, professionals
still acknowledge that content influences behavior. Parents sit their children in front of the TV hoping to distract
them while they get something done, and little do they know the cartoon theyve just put on could influence
their childs behavior. With this information and all the information out there like it, parents need to be more
aware of how their laptop, TV, and phone are affecting them and those around them. We can all stand to raise
our awareness in this regard. I know I feel better the more informed I am. Now I can be more aware of how
often Im exposed to violent content. Yes ignorance can be bliss but it shouldnt be, not when it comes to
something that could influence your behavior. We need to know and understand the way we function and the
influence outside materials have on us.

Works Cited
Anderson, Elizabeth. "Teenagers Spend 27 Hours a Week Online: How Internet Use Has Ballooned in the Last
Decade." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 11 May 2015. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
"Nielsen Estimates 118.4 Million TV Homes in the U.S. for the 2016-17 TV Season." Nielsen. The Nielsen
Company, 26 Aug. 2016. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
Kelly, Heather. "Do Video Games Cause Violence?" CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 27
Nov. 2016.
Christakis, Dimitri. "Virtual Violence." Virtual Violence | From the American Academy of Pediatrics |
Pediatrics. AAP, Aug. 2016. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
Kleinman, Zoe. "Do Video Games Make People Violent?" BBC News. BBC, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
Kulman, Randy, Dr. "How Much Time Do Kids Spend With Technology?" Learning Works. The Gadget, 13

July 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.

Beresin, Eugene V., M.D. "The Impact of Media Violence on Children and Adolescents: Opportunities for
Clinical Interventions." American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. American Academy of Child
Adolescent Psychiatry, 2016. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
Harding, Anne. "Violent Video Games Linked to Child Aggression." CNN. Cable News Network, 2009. Web.
27 Nov. 2016.
Hicks, Marybeth. "Violent Video Games Create Unhealthy Emotions." Washington Times. The Washington
Times, 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
"Violence in the Media." American Psychology Association. APA, Nov. 2013. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
Nauert, Rick. "Video Games Can Help Boost Social, Memory & Cognitive Skills | Psych Central News." Psych
Central News. Psych Central, 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
Puiu, Tibi. "Do Violent Video Games Make Children More Aggressive?" ZME Science. ZME, 2016. Web. 23
Nov. 2016.
Kaplan, Arline. "Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior?" Violence in the Media: What Effects on
Behavior? | Psychiatric Times. UBM, 5 Oct. 2015. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
Frazier, Barbara. "The Impact of TV Violence on Children and Adolescents." The Successful Parent. N.p., 7
Nov. 2001. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.
Nuwer, Rachel. "Teenage Brains Are Like Soft, Impressionable Play-Doh." Smithsonian Magazine.
Smithsonian, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2016.