Violence in Computer Games
Does it make you a killer?
This subject is what my special project is all about, this page is basically a short version of it. You may download the wole project here (151 kb, zipped) if you want further reading (provided you understand Swedish). It is all © 1999 Fredrik Björeman, except where otherwise noted, so you have to ask me nicely first if you want to use it for any purpose. I'd also be happy to hear any opinions about it, as well as everything else on this site.
Well, does it?
In short: No.
In a few more words it can be put like this:
Computer games, along with all the other forms of fictional violence, have no proven negative effects on human beings of any age, sex or occupation. There are, however, many proven positive effects to playing computer games. For starters, playing a game is an active entertainment, in difference to sitting in front of a TV, watching real violence on the news. A game as simple as Tetris teaches kids to rotate objects in their minds. Games teach you to think in three dimensions, sharpens reflexes and decision-making processes as well as eye-hand coordination.
All this and more, and it's even true for console games too!
