The Huffingtonpost has a post worth noting titled “The 15 Most Controversial Video Games.” We have been trying to describe the benefits and dangers associated with playing video games. Our concerns are primarily focused on how precious time and energy are taken away from other important activities and responsibilities and not as much on the impact of violent content. Of course violent content must be taken seriously, but also put in the context of the gamer wanting to play and master the game itself and what is in fact age appropriate material based on the ratings system provided by the video game industry. Lawrence Kutner, PhD and Cheryl K. Olson, ScD in their book Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games and What Parents Can Do reiterate what we have been saying on this blog and through our work with children and families:

Probably the most important thing you can do as a parent to protect your children from the consequences of violence is to shift your focus to those issues that are much more likely to result in making children behave violently or having them be the victims of someone else’s violence. Despite the urban legends and political grandstanding, violent video games are pretty low on that list.

Violent children and victimized children tend to come from violent and abusive environments. We hear this again and agin from child development researchers. (228)