Report: violent video games may not cause aggression

A literature review released in the lead-up to the Attorneys General meeting finds that the evidence for a link is inconclusive.

Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, yesterday released a review of existing research into the impact of violent video games on aggression. It’s a lengthy beast of a document, coming in at 50-odd pages, but the main thing it points to is that ‘evidence about the effect of violent computer games on the aggression displayed by those who play them is inconclusive’.

We should be clear – the report doesn’t say that there is no effect. What it does say, though, is that there is no evidence that video games have more of an effect that any other form of media, including TV and movies, and that evidence would suggest that any effect is more likely to be short-term.

The report also finds that even though some studies have shown violent video games to have an affect on aggression, they generally don’t take into account factors such as pre-existing personality, family circumstances, socio-economic status and peer groups.

It also doesn’t ignore the fact that some people are more susceptible to the effects of violent video games - or violence in any form of media. But the crux of it is that we can no longer just blindly blame violent video games for aggression – the evidence just isn’t there to support that position.

And what we’re seeing today is the government reacting to these findings in a more measured way thant they have in the past.

"We need a classification system that protects young minds from any possible adverse affect, while also ensuring that adults are free to make their own decisions about what they play, within the bounds of the law,” said Mr O’Connor when releasing the report. He goes on to say that he is "keen to proceed with making this important decision, based on solid and robust evidence" – which sounds very positive.

Of course, not everyone is happy. The good old Australian Christian Lobby is refuting the findings of the report on its website and urging their supporters to maintain pressure on the Classification Ministers. But it definitely feels like the tide of popular – and government – opinion is turning. We’ll see what happens when the Attorneys General meet in just over a week.