Survey Says Violent Games Aren't That Bad

According to a study released yesterday by PC Data, fifty-seven percent of consumers surveyed online disagree with the belief that violent video games are likely to make players become violent. The independent survey also found that with all the controversy surrounding violent video games, sales of those violent games in question remained steady over a two-month period, from April to May. Interestingly, the PC Data report says that six percent of games had "violent content" three weeks before the shootings in Littleton, Colo., and that number remained unchanged three weeks after that event.

"In the wake of last month's tragedy in Littleton, Colo., many fingers have pointed to violence in computer and video games as being the cause for such irrational behavior," said Ann Stephens, president of PC Data. "However, our survey and retail tracking not only show that consumers believe TV violence is more of a threat, but that there has also been no corresponding reaction by the market against the purchase of popular action games."

The survey definitely raised some interesting points for those who believe one of our favorite pastimes might incite users to commit violent acts. A total of 59 percent of respondents said that violence in movies and on TV has a negative impact on viewers, while 43 percent felt violent games are likely to cause users to become violent. While the numbers are still relatively close, 58 percent of those respondents feel that violent lyrics in music negatively impact listeners.

Only 31 percent of respondents said that parents should prohibit children from playing violent video games, 52 percent thought that it would be better to limit children's time spent with violent games, and 46 percent thought one solution would be for the government to mandate content rating levels.

Since the Littleton shooting, 47 percent of 1,207 children between the ages of 12 and 18 said there had been bomb and/or shooting threats at their schools after the Littleton shootings. Regarding the hot issue in America about limiting access to firearms, 20 percent of respondents ages 18 and under thought that decreasing children's access to guns was the most important thing to do, 19 percent thought increased security would help limit the occurrence of violence in schools, and 14 percent of 12 - 18 year-olds thought that less media coverage would help. The survey also showed that 14 percent of adults, 18 and over, thought that decreasing guns was the answer, and 33 percent said that parental involvement would help stem violent behaviors.

The survey data by PC Data conducted over the Internet from May 11 - 12 were collected from 6,305 individuals who were measured out to reflect the US populace, with 1,207 children (aged 12 - 18) and 1,513 adults with children aged 12-18.