Video games - Violent or not?

While there is an evident general consensus that video games have a potential threat to users that cause them in turn to become violent as well, is this reaction really valid?

The fact is, this portrayal of video games causing people to become violent is hyperbolised through the media in order to add to the negative reactions. The media systematically convinces society that video games are a vital instrument in causing people to lose their sanity and to gain homicidal tendencies, however the rationality of this can be challenged. Firstly there is the notion of freedom of choice, whereby simply playing Grand Theft Auto will not trigger an individual to go outside and drag someone out of their car. Every individual has agency over their own actions. Those who do first-hand play video games are given an outlet in which to release their emotions within a simulated and therefore, secure environment. By doing so, this challenges the notion that video games themselves cause an individual to become aggressively violent. By being supplied with a safe environment to release adverse notions, theoretically this should deduct away from the need for an individual to go out into the real world and cause harm.

Following this train of thought that the media represents, if violent video games cause individuals to become violent in their own rights, then will educational video games, or crafty, optimistic games cause people to become good samaritans and to assist people in need? There are far more negative aspects of video games portrayed in the media than there are positive. By doing so, the media only aims to increase cynicism regarding the medium. Despite this, the video game industry has a potentially vast capability to continue growing and challenging the media’s representations, thereby not only educating but expanding the new generation of digital natives.