Videogame Violence

• Videogame growth has increased from being a \$100 million industry in 1985 to a $7 billion industry in 1994.

• A research study found that children who spent more time playing videogames were more active overall and playing was not at the expense of other activities (Van Schie and Wiegman, 1997).

• Boys spend more time than girls playing videogames.

• Researchers Creasey and Myers found that videogame play does not alter a child's activites which include leisure activities, school activities, and peer involvement (1986).

• According to Van Schie and Weigman (1997), they did not find a relationship between videogame play and aggressive behavior.

• In contrast to Schie and Weigman research by Schutte et al. (1988) state that children who played a violent video game when compared to those who played a nonviolent game displayed more aggressive and violent behaviors.

• Children who played videogames more often were found to have a significantly higher IQ (Van Schie and Weigman, 1997).

• Children who played violent videogames react the same as when they watch violent TV cartoons (Silvern and Williamson, 1987).

• There is little research in the specfic area of violent videogames and children.

• Curricula is being developed that will help children grow emotionally healthy with all the different types of media.