Violent videos and video games negatively affect human behavior
the verdict
CONTESTED
the evidence cuts both ways
confidence 34/100
The relationship between violent media and video games and negative human behaviors remains contested, with some experimental and longitudinal studies finding links to increased aggression, while others suggest that factors like competition and individual differences better explain observed behaviors.
The evidence we hold leans leans supported
How this was weighed
official record 3x · fact-check 2x · hedged 1x · crowd & reference 1x
Effects of realism on extended violent and nonviolent video · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.6 · 2009
The effect of justified video game violence on aggressive be · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.3 · 2022
Longitudinal reciprocal relationship between media violence · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.05 · 2024
Deviant Peer Affiliation: A Newly Verified Mechanism by Whic · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.05 · 2022
Null Effects of Game Violence, Game Difficulty, and 2D:4D Di · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.3 · 2019
Is It Only the Violence?: The Effects of Violent Video Game · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.3 · 2021
The impact of acute violent videogame exposure on neurocogni · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.05 · 2024
Evidence for · 5
Effects of realism on extended violent and nonviolent video game play on aggressive thoughts, feelings, and physiological arousal
2009 · cited by 82
Paper 0 demonstrates that playing realistic violent video games increases aggressive feelings and physiological arousal over time.
Evidence against · 3
Null Effects of Game Violence, Game Difficulty, and 2D:4D Digit Ratio on Aggressive Behavior
2019 · cited by 44
Paper 1 finds that neither game violence nor game difficulty predicted subsequent aggressive behavior in an experimental setting.
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More for · 4
The effect of justified video game violence on aggressive behavior and moderated immersion: An experimental approach
2022 · cited by 10
Paper 3 finds that justified video game violence and high immersion increase subsequent aggressive behavior.
Violent or competitive? Unpacking adolescent cyber-aggressive behavior in text, video, and game context
2025 · cited by 5
Paper 4 reports that violent content consistently elicits higher cyber-aggression than competitive content across various contexts.
Longitudinal reciprocal relationship between media violence exposure and aggression among junior high school students in China: a cross-lagged analysis.
2024 · cited by 4
Paper 5 shows a significant positive reciprocal relationship between media violence exposure and aggression in a longitudinal analysis.
Deviant Peer Affiliation: A Newly Verified Mechanism by Which Violent Video Game Exposure Affect Aggressive and Prosocial Behavior
2022 · cited by 3
Paper 7 supports the extended General Aggression Model by showing deviant peer affiliation mediates the effects of violent video game exposure on behavior.
More against · 2
Is It Only the Violence?: The Effects of Violent Video Game Content, Difficulty, and Competition on Aggressive Behavior
2021 · cited by 11
Paper 2 reveals that competition rather than video game violence drives increased aggressive behavior.
The impact of acute violent videogame exposure on neurocognitive markers of empathic concern.
2024 · cited by 1
Paper 11 reports that behavioral ratings and empathy-related brain activity did not vary as a function of violent gaming exposure, contradicting a direct link.