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:What about the easy availability of guns ?

[ElectricTurtle]

Well, although nobody in the UK has shot up a school since the Dublane Massacre, that doesn't mean that mass murders at schools in the UK have ceased. They just use other weapons now (improvised flame thrower? I have to say I'm impressed). Just goes to prove that people are going to kill people no matter what tools they have to do it with.