Introduction and Disclaimers

If you're seriously worried that video games are could make or are currently making your children violent, you should hear the other side of the story first. Here, I will give you some concrete information, including results from multiple studies on the social effects of video games on children, so you can take a rational look before plunging into blind fear.

First, let me clear this up for you. Your child is not going to shoot up a school after playing Call of Duty of Grand Theft Auto a couple of times. Noticeable effects of violent video games take time to even show. Usually a long time, but a little extra supervision at any time is never bad.

Second, this article applies to normal, average children. I mean no disrespect towards children with special needs, but the studies from which I derive my facts correspond with an average child. If you have a child with special needs, I highly advise against their playing violent video games without the express permission from a doctor and/or a psychiatrist. Any effect placed on these children from violent video games could be different and difficult to determine. It may even cause a more extreme effect or reaction than that of average children. 

Third, no matter what this article makes you think, always pay attention to a game's rating. The rating system was put there for a reason, and as a parent, you have a responsibility to heed these warnings. No matter what the sellers of the games say to make the game seem less threatening remember this: “you can't expect a business to act in a way that puts ethics before profits because of the nature of the structure of motives in business.” (Dill, Sex is too Obscene...) Businesses will always try to sell you something, even something harmful, to you because that is their function. They exist to sell, not care for the repercussions on your child.