Search Britannica
Click here to search
Search Britannica
Click here to search
SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
Login
https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=nav-login-box&utm_campaign=evergreen
SUBSCRIBE
Home
History & Society
Science & Tech
Biographies
Animals & Nature
Geography & Travel
Arts & Culture
ProCon
Money
Games & Quizzes
Videos
On This Day
One Good Fact
Dictionary
New Articles
History & Society
Lifestyles & Social Issues
Philosophy & Religion
Politics, Law & Government
World History
Science & Tech
Health & Medicine
Science
Technology
Biographies
Browse Biographies
Animals & Nature
Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
Environment
Fossils & Geologic Time
Mammals
Plants
Geography & Travel
Geography & Travel
Arts & Culture
Entertainment & Pop Culture
Literature
Sports & Recreation
Visual Arts
Image Galleries
Podcasts
Summaries
Top Questions
Britannica Kids
Ask the Chatbot
Games & Quizzes
History & Society
Science & Tech
Biographies
Animals & Nature
Geography & Travel
Arts & Culture
ProCon
Money
Videos
Video Games
Table of Contents
Introduction
Violent Video Games
Legislation and Court Cases
Mass Shootings
Current Debate
Pros
Pro 1: Violent video games, like all games, tap into kids’ desire for play and imagination, and that’s healthy.
Pro 2: Violent video games offer a safe place to feel and regulate emotions like anger and frustration.
Pro 3: Violent video games, like any video game, offer opportunities for community building.
Pro 4: Banning violent video games is simply a scapegoat maneuver for avoiding complicated social issues.
Cons
Con 1: Violent video games increase the likelihood of violence in kids and teens predisposed to or already exhibiting anger and aggression.
Con 2: Video games are addictive and addiction can lead to mental health issues.
Con 3: Kids and teens need more outside play and in-person socializing than more solitary time in front of a digital screen.
Con 4: No healthy society should purposely expose its kids and teens to violence, real or virtual.
Assessment Quiz
1-minute Survey
Discussion Questions
Take Action
Sources
References & Edit History
Related Topics
Images
Contents
Video Games: Media
Should Minors Be Allowed to Play Violent Video Games?
Share
Share
Share to social media
Facebook
X
URL
https://www.britannica.com/procon/video-games-debate/images-videos
Images
Violent video games
A boy playing a video game.
© Jose Luis Pelaez Inc—DigitalVision/Getty Images
VIEW MORE
in these related Britannica articles:
Media for: Pokémon GO
Media for: Net Neutrality
Media for: electronic game