Two Harvard professors have come out saying that, contrary to popular belief, violent video games are actually good at keeping young people from becoming violent in reality. During their extensive studies they could not find any links between violent video games and violent behaviour. This is sure to be welcome news for all GTA fans out there.

BOYS who don't play videogames at all are at greater risk of getting into trouble than those who play violent games occasionally, according to two Harvard psychologists.

The pair also said there was also no evidence to suggest violent games turn young people into criminals or violent people, despite some media reports.

"If you look at the violent crime in the US over the past 20 years among teenagers it's gone down, and gone down significantly, and if you look at videogame play, it's gone up," said Dr Lawrence Kutner and Dr Cheryl Olsen of Harvard Medical School in a recent interview.

"The big concern that you hear the politicians and the pundits argue, that playing violent videogames will somehow turn your child into a criminal or a violent person, there's absolutely no evidence for that."
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Most recently commented on by on May 17, 2008
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  • 0
    Storm May 9, 08
    Well, it keeps them indoors playing games, and anyone with self-control shouldn't be influenced to try these acts out IRL. But why is it only targeting boys?
    • 0
      chautemoc May 10, 08
      Because menstruation, childbearing and housekeeping keep girls out of trouble, they don't need video games.
  • 0
    huntyr May 9, 08
    its almost like playing videos games allows escapism and a chance for people to relax =)
  • 0
    hpnotic215 May 9, 08
    I can vouch for that because videogames not necessarily violent ones kept me out of trouble and viloent games just let me vent whenever I would get pissed off so I thank all videogames for keeping me out of jail.Lol.
  • 0
    the undertaker gonzo May 9, 08
    Atleast there is some positive research coming out of things. I had a laugh at the bit saying if girls play 15 hours a week it would be unusual but for boys it is normal.
  • 1
    Bale Fire May 10, 08
    Everytime one of these articles comes out another contradicts it, then another contradicts that one and so on and so forth.

    Let's just forget the studies about videogames shall we?
  • 0
    martinborgman May 10, 08
    Gah and they need "extensive studies" for this. Heck I've been saying this for years, ever since the first violent FPS came out Doom/Wolf3D ~ 1993-ish

    To quote the TF2 sniper:

    "GAH! Piss off, you bloody fruit shop owners!"
  • 1
    Capn Droid May 10, 08
    I think I hear Jack Thompson filing ten more lawsuits, off in the distance.
  • 0
    Chad May 10, 08
    Hehe, most of these studies come out saying games with violence in them are bad for children. It does keep them out of trouble because they are playing it instead of getting involved in gangs, drinking, drugs, etc., but what about the long-term effects, and when they can't play the game? I know I've had thoughts of pulling off some moves I saw in video games while bored in a classroom before.
  • 0
    R1DDL3S May 10, 08
      The games get rid of built up anger because you know you can do whatever without getting in trouble...if there are cops in it, and you get caught, just shut down and reboot the system:)
  • 0
    Final Blade May 10, 08
    "Studies have shown Violent games do not cause violent behavior in kids. But Causal games do"
    Uh-oh Nintendo is evil
    [/sarcasm]
    This is a joke people relax.
    • 0
      Capn Droid May 10, 08
      I WILL NOT RELAX YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY AN EVIL PERSON YOU SAID NINTENDO WAS EVIL THEY ARE NOT /NOT FANBOY

      Yeah, I'd like you to point out where it says "casual".
      • 0
        Final Blade May 10, 08
        It doesn't, but it was a joke saying, if violent games don't cause violence than Casual fun games do. I was just having some fun with changing stories.

        • 0
          Capn Droid May 10, 08
          Mario the Drug-addicted Cracker meets up with Ness, a.k.a. "Baseball Bludgeoner" on the streets! What could ensue?

  • 0
    Distortion May 18, 08
    Finally something on the side of the gamers for once!

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