Violent video games 'increase aggression'

Exposure to violent video games can increase aggression and callous behaviour, psychologists claim.

A review of almost a decade of studies by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that exposure to violent video games was a "risk factor" for increased aggression.

But the APA said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the influence of games such as Call Of Duty and Grand Theft Auto led to criminal acts.

There should be more parental control over violent scenes in video games, the group of experts said.

A group representing the games industry said there is little evidence children are desensitised by violent games and rejected claims more regulation is needed.

A report by the APA said: "The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in pro-social behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to aggression."

But it added that no single influence led a person to act aggressively or violently and instead it was an "accumulation of risk factors" that resulted in such behaviour.

It said: "The research reviewed here demonstrates that violent video game use is one such risk factor."

Dr Mark Appelbaum, who chaired the APA task force, said: "Scientists have investigated the use of violent video games for more than two decades but to date, there is very limited research addressing whether violent video games cause people to commit acts of criminal violence.

"However, the link between violence in video games and increased aggression in players is one of the most studied and best established in the field."

The task force conducted a comprehensive review of more than 300 violent video game studies published between 2005 and 2013.

At a meeting in Toronto, Canada, earlier this month the association's ruling council also called for a video game rating system that took more notice of violence and for games to be more appropriate to players' age and psychological development.

However Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s games industry, said the current system of ratings and parental controls is suitable.

Mr Wilson said: "There are violent video games but they are for an adult audience.

"We should always have an effective system so that inappropriate content is not access by children.

"The balance is probably right at the moment, but this is always something that has got to be kept under review."