Do video games trigger violent crimes?

[WCCO-TV, August 05, 2019] In the wake of this weekend’s massacres, video games have again become a frequent target for politicians.

It’s a discussion that’s been going on for decades. During the mid-90s, lawmakers from both parties held hearings about violent video games and their potential effect on children. After the 1999 Columbine shootings, Republicans and Democrats came together again to address the topic through another round of hearings.

But what does the research say? Do violent video games really cause violent crimes? Good Question.

“The research doesn’t show that violent video games lead people to violence,” says Dr. Daniel Kessler, a psychologist with Allina Health. “It doesn’t state it doesn’t cause it, but it certainly doesn’t say it does.”