A review of almost a decade of studies has found that exposure to violent video games is a “risk factor” for increased aggression.

The Independent is reporting on the findings by a team of psychologists from the American Psychological Association (APA) who reviewed nearly 10 years of studies that found a strong link between the use of violent video games and aggressive and/or callous behavior.

“The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behavior, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in pro-social behavior, empathy and sensitivity to aggression,” the APA task force reported.

The task force conducted a comprehensive review of more than 300 violent video game studies published between 2005 and 2013.

“While there is some variation among the individual studies, a strong and consistent general pattern has emerged from many years of research that provides confidence in our general conclusions,” said Dr. Mark Appelbaum, who chaired the research team.

“Scientists have investigated the use of violent video games for more than two decades but to date, there is very limited research addressing whether violent video games cause people to commit acts of criminal violence. However, the link between violence in video games and increased aggression in players is one of the most studied and best established in the field.”

He added: “We know that there are numerous risk factors for aggressive behavior. What researchers need to do now is conduct studies that look at the effects of video game play in people at risk for aggression or violence due to a combination of risk factors. For example, how do depression or delinquency interact with violent video game use?”

As a result of the study, the APA is urging game creators to increase levels of parental control over the amount of violence video games contain.

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