By: Emily Sohn, Science News for Kids
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Professor Brad Bushman quoted on Science News for Kids

From the article:

We read every message that readers submit to Science News for Kids, and we learn a lot from what you say. Two articles that really got you talking looked at video games. One story argued that video games can be good for you (see "What Video Games Can Teach Us"). The other argued that video games are bad for you (see "The Violent Side of Video Games").

These stories ran 3 years ago, and we're still hearing about them, almost weekly. In particular, those of you who enjoy killing people on screen disagree with research suggesting that your game-playing habits inspire you to act out...

Despite what these readers say, many scientific studies clearly show that violent video games make kids more likely to yell, push, and punch, says Brad Bushman. He's a psychologist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Bushman and his colleagues recently reviewed more than 300 studies of video media effects. Across the board, he says, the message is clear.

"We included every single study we could find on the topic," Bushman says. "Regardless of what kids say, violent video games are harmful...."

---

To read the entire article, visit the Science News for Kids website at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20070124/Feature1.asp.