Gurkirat Dhillon's research paper investigates whether video games contribute to violence in society. Since their introduction in the late 1970s, video games have frequently been blamed for causing acts of violence. As video game graphics have become more realistic, more video games have been blamed for domestic attacks and overall violence. Dhillon aims to determine through research if video games truly harm society or not.

1. Video Game
Violence and its
Effect on Society
By: Gurkirat Dhillon

2. My research topic is...
My topic this semester investigates whether video games contribute
to violence, cruelty, and aggression. When arcade cabinets emerged
in the late 1970s, there was a full blown hysteria over video games.
Similar to the introduction of new trends, many people were
convinced that video games were mind-rotting and malevolent. As
video games evolved from flickering pixels on a screen to lifelike
atmospheres, many video games have been blamed for causing
certain certain domestic attacks and overall violence. I want to
determine and support whether video games truly harm society or
not.
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3. History of Video Game Controversies
▪ Video Game controversies began since early
arcade cabinets were introduced in the late 1970s.
▪ Many politicians, adults, and individuals from the
medical field were concerned that content from
video games affected children negatively.
▪ This notion of video games affecting children
negatively continues with current politicians and
the President attempting to set laws to prevent
the sale of games.
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Early Timeline (condensed):
● 1976: Death Race
● 1983: Custer’s Revenge
● 1993: Mortal Kombat
and Night Trap
● 1995: Phantasmagoria
● 1998: GTA

4. Individuals/Entities Involved in the Video
Game Debate
▪ The Supreme Court
▫ The Supreme Court rules on a plethora
of cases regarding video games and
reinforces its decisions by citing
legitimate evidence.
▪ Researchers/Medical Professionals
▫ Researchers/Medical Professionals
often release studies and reports that
provide insight and bolster the topic on
both sides.
▪ Players/Adolescents
▫ Actual players of video games provide
evidence/insights based off their own
experiences and exist at the foundation
of the topic.
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5. Questions about the Topic!
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1. Why are video games attributed to
violence and aggression while movies,
literature, etc. are not?
2. Would legislation banning the sale of
video games to minors violate any
constitutional amendments?
3. Are other circumstances besides video
game play calculated into studies
about video game aggression?
4. What would be the actual benefit of
banning violent video game sales to
minors?

6. A Viewpoint I Disagree with...
According to “To Play or Not to Play: The Great Debate About
Video Games”, the author cites a researcher that claims that
the content of the game affects the behavior of children. For
instance, the author claims that children who play violent
video games are more likely to engage in risky behavior such
as substance abuse. He also adds that unlike movies/books
video games give children the option to incite violence within
the game unlike the other media.
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7. Bibliography
“A Timeline of Video Game Controversies.” National Coalition Against
Censorship, 2018, ncac.org/resource/a-timeline-of-video-game-
controversies.
Suddath, Claire. “Brief History: Video-Game Violence.” Time, Time Inc., 10
May 2010,
content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1985999,00.html.
“Violent Video Games - ProCon.org.” Do Violent Video Games Contribute to
Youth Violence?, 2018, videogames.procon.org/.
Woodham, Chai. “To Play or Not to Play: The Great Debate About Video
Games.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 7 Oct.
2014, health.usnews.com/health-news/health-
wellness/articles/2014/10/07/to-play-or-not-to-play-the-great-debate-
about-video-games.7