A Fox News guest on Wednesday revived the widely disputed theory that video games fuel mass shootings. (Watch the video below.)
Randy Sutton, a former Las Vegas policeman and spokesperson for Blue Lives Matter, appeared on “Your World” after a suspected 14-year-old gunman shot and killed four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, and left nine others hospitalized.
“Human life has less value because of many of the social mores that have changed over the decades,” Sutton said. “From violent video games ― which, I can tell you right now, I fully believe play a role in these type of tragic situations ― to the culture that has evolved surrounding the glorification of gangs and of violence and of lyrics to songs that espouse violence.”
Ted Williams, a former D.C. homicide detective, also mentioned the games as a factor in a “Your World” segment on Wednesday. He spoke of “video games showing very, very violent acts.”
The law enforcement veterans’ analysis doesn’t stand up to mounting evidence to the contrary.
In 2023 the Stanford Brainstorm Lab reported that “current medical research and scholarship have not found any causal link between playing video games and gun violence in real life” after reviewing more than 80 research articles, according to Fortune.
After a cluster of mass shootings in 2019, then-President Donald Trump, who’s again the Republican nominee, blamed electronic games. That prompted backlash.
“We must stop the glorification of violence in our society,” Trump said. “This includes the gruesome and grisly video games that are now commonplace. It is too easy today for troubled youth to surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence. We must stop or substantially reduce this and it has to begin immediately.”
The president’s talking point, which has been echoed by other conservatives afraid to steer the conversation to gun control, got a resounding fact-check from NBC News.
Support Free Journalism
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
“There’s absolutely no causal evidence that violent video game play leads to aggression in the real world,” Oxford University researcher Andrew Przybylski told the network after a 10-year study. NBC also cited several other studies that debunked the assertion.
Support Free Journalism
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
After reviewing the statements made by Randy Sutton and Ted Williams regarding the role of video games in fueling mass shootings, it is crucial to consider the wider evidence and research on this topic. The idea that playing video games leads to real-life gun violence has been a hotly debated issue for years. However, a thorough analysis conducted by the Stanford Brainstorm Lab in 2023, which reviewed over 80 research articles, concluded that there is no causal link between playing video games and gun violence in reality. This finding contradicts the assertions made by the former law enforcement officials.
Moreover, former President Donald Trump’s claim in 2019 that violent video games contribute to a culture of violence in society received a strong backlash. While there may be concerns about the glorification of violence in various forms of media, including video games, the claim that they directly lead to real-world aggression lacks substantial evidence. In fact, a 10-year study led by Oxford University researcher Andrew Przybylski found no causal connection between playing violent video games and increased aggression in individuals.
It is essential to separate correlation from causation when discussing complex issues like mass shootings. Blaming video games for societal problems risks overlooking deeper-rooted issues such as mental health, access to firearms, and social inequalities. By focusing solely on video games as a scapegoat, we may be missing the opportunity to address the multifaceted factors that contribute to acts of violence.
In conclusion, while the debate over the impact of video games on real-world violence continues, it is crucial to approach the issue with a critical and evidence-based perspective. Rather than relying on scapegoats or easy explanations, a comprehensive understanding of the complex factors that contribute to mass shootings is necessary to develop effective solutions. As we navigate these challenging discussions, it is important to consider the broader social, psychological, and systemic factors at play. For more trending news articles like this, visit [DeFi Daily News](http://defi-daily.com).
Source link
