Researcher Finds No Link Between Violent Games and School Shootings

GamePolitics writes "A researcher at Texas A&M International University has found no link between playing violent video games and school shootings. Prof. Christopher Ferguson cites 'moral panic' and criticizes politicians, the news media and some social scientists for playing up what he believes is a false connection between video games and school shooting incidents. Quoting: 'Actual causes of violent crime, such as family environment, genetics, poverty, and inequality, are oftentimes difficult, controversial, and intractable problems. By contrast, video games present something of a "straw man" by which politicians can create an appearance of taking action against crime.'"

Comments

Re:Video games don't incite violence

[mjwx]

a small furry ball which PETA could easily say represents a small mammal.

Actually, they want you to start calling them "court kittens" cause no one wants to hit a kitten.

No stupid, it's child porn that causes violence

[calmofthestorm]

So we need to stop selling cameras.

Re:Video games don't incite violence

[Faylone]

Sea Kittens my dinner!

Re:What about the easy availability of guns ?

[Sasayaki]

Canada does have guns. They don't have school shootings.

Here in Australia we don't have guns (it's neigh impossible to get anything at all these days, believe me I have tried). Per capita, we've had a shitload of people going on killing sprees with guns.

What's this correlation I'm supposed to see? That gaining your independence from England makes you more likely to be a psychopath? Interesting.