The concerns about the effects of violent video games on aggressive thought patterns, emotions,
and behavior are justified. Until now, no study has been able to show that exposure to violent digital
games is associated with an increase in criminality, aggressiveness, or violent behavior.
Nevertheless, these paradoxical results are not incompatible. There is indeed a tremendous
difference between aggressiveness and hetero-aggressive outburst. It is likely that the answer lies in
the complexity of the concept of committing an act. Exposure to violent video games could be one
factor, among many others, in a constellation of parameters leading an individual to commit an
aggressive act.
The research is inconsistent, and thus psychiatrists may wish to be more careful in their public
statements linking violent digital games to harm. There is indeed a lack of scientific data dealing
with the relationship between violent video games and this interaction between the individual’s
mental state and aggressive outcome. More research is needed before we can fully understand the
influence of violent video games on real life.