Virtual violence: Do video games change our behavior? | Doha Debates Podcast

Video games are built on creative storytelling and intricate worldbuilding, but what happens when the violence depicted in video games starts to spill over into the real world? Researchers at Dartmouth University have found a link between violence in video games and increased physical aggression in teens and preteens. Game designer Bahiyya Khan says that while violence can be important to video game storytelling, game makers must create responsibly and provide context for players. On the other side, political journalist Josh Ferme argues that video games are art—like books and music—which should never be censored. Watch the Doha Debates Podcast as they discuss virtual violence, real-life repercussions and the future of video games.

Doha Debates podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Karen Given. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

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0:00 Introduction
3:23 Main arguments
14:23 Audience questions
19:53 Conclusion

[MajestyXXII]

As a black man I remember playing resident evil 5 never did I ever thought about killing black people in Africa, I thought I was killing zombies.

[janinecat]

"Yeah I think that, like, maybe, this could, i don't know" - the argument put forth to restirct what actions you can take in your life.

[Lewanderer]

I wonder if teenage girls would be affected by playing a game where the main character is mentally ill and was molested

[amandanowicki]

I tried looking up this woman's video game. Outside of winning an award for "best student created game." I found no reviews for it, or mention of it anywhere.

[rext]

The argument that video games cause real world violence has been crushed so many times. People keep trying to move goal posts, and it's very annoying. It's ignorance at best and propoganda at worst.

[supleandro]

As other comments said, the two main guests needed more time to develop their point of view before introducing other guests.

[rahjah]

Some of the kindest people I know are nerdy gamers, some of the most violent once I met…. Religious or political

[princeofruins]

I am old enough to remember when people used to blame heavy metal and board games for violence.
I think we should accept the fact that we are a violent species and make our peace with it.

If we wrap our self with safety bubble it will only make us weaker, and when times comes when violence is needed, we will be too soft to deal with it.

[mikefloyd]

Chris Redfield punching boulders is an example of white savior complex lmao

[AB-imek]

How about upbringing and link to SSRIs
Seems like there's a disproportionate number of kids coming from divorced parents and single mother households

[MrMestapholese]

By the same merit of her argument we need to cancel sporting events due to the fact that the competition inspires competitive dominance in individuals and often leans into aggressive attitudes.

[syd]

That was far too short to be including third parties in the discussion. I didn't feel I got any conclusive points from anyone.

[lynxbelow]

Josh sounded a touch nervous sometimes but I thought he stated the case excellently. Love the Lotus Eaters!

[showtime]

No one ever asks the ratio of people harming people to people not harming people.

If you have one person for every thousand it's not fair to punish the thousand for that one person's actions.

[Bagginsess]

After my first 360 no scope I knew I had become a monster. I had to have more. I now go to Sweat Anonymous to help fend off my addiction.

[michaelkeha]

Video games do effect people in fact they make them less violent

[naiveveg]

Also you can abate this by being with and monitoring what your child is consuming.
Wierd how traditional relationships had this down but single empowahed mothers are raising a generation of thots and thieves and killers.

[smelltheglove]

This lady thinks she should be able to tell you what you should think is acceptable. Her world view is scary and what’s worse, it’s becoming much more common. These woke scolds would’ve been the censorious zealots that tried banning music in the 80s.

[OnlyCitrus]

Another topic that was already beat to death and has been proved false multiple times. Just let it rest for Christ sake.

[chettmannley]

I can tell you, after running over hundreds of people in GTA, I have personally run over at least 30 in real life, in all cases I outran the cops and lost my stars, pretty exhilarating experience