Important facts about video games and violence

They're addictive, graphic and much maligned, but video games may not be as evil as some people fear. Here's some things to know about video games every parent should know.

• The answer? Maybe. Researchers are still arguing the question.
• Several researchers across the world have investigated the issue, and the answer is somewhat reassuring.
• Most research suggests that video games may encourage violent behaviour only in people who already have violent tendencies.

• Many studies have found that study participants show greater degrees of aggressive behaviour and hostility after playing violent video games. But that's not the whole story.
• Most of the studies suffered from bias. In other words, the research was in some ways designed to come to this conclusion.
• In a recent analysis of 17 studies, researchers concluded that the "studies of video game violence provided no support for the hypothesis that violent video game playing is associated with higher aggression."

• Recent research suggests that, if there is a significant or long-lasting link between violent video games and aggression, it's likely only in people already prone to violent behaviour.
• While the popularity of graphic video games skyrocketed between 1993 and 2005, violent crimes committed by juveniles plummeted by 61 percent.

• Limit your video game time to less than an hour a day, and set similar limits for youngsters.
• It may help you both in several ways; the heavy gamers in a study of high school students also got worse grades.
• The same study found the heavy gamers also had poorer social relationships than those who played video games less than an hour a day.

If you've ever played a popular home video game, you know that "violent" is a politely understated description of the virtual adventure. But despite all this violence, they aren't as dangerous as previously thought. Still, it pays to limit your time playing.