Session at PAS Annual Meeting to focus on reducing violence in video games and media

May 6 2014

Research has demonstrated a link between screen violence and real-world aggression, both in traditional media like violent movies and in newer media including first-person shooter games. Minimizing exposure to virtual violence will not completely eliminate acts of aggression, but it is an important strategy to investigate, according to experts presenting a session on the topic Tuesday, May 7, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Scientists, pediatricians, clinicians, and advocates of reducing media violence will gather for a state-of-the-art plenary session. Leading researchers will discuss the ongoing controversy about the role that screen violence plays in real-world aggression, and ways to address the public health implications.

"Exposure to media violence in all forms increases the risk of real-world aggression," said plenary chair, Dimitri Christakis, MD, MPH, FAAP, of Seattle Children's Research Institute. "The recent epidemic of mass shootings and latest Supreme Court ruling striking down a California law banning the sale of mature video games to minors is disturbing, and the reason why additional research is critical in understanding the existing evidence."

The plenary is from 9:45-11:45 a.m. in the Vancouver Convention Centre. Topics and presenters include:

• "Overview of Violence and Children," presented by Frederick P. Rivara, Seattle Children's Hospital
• "Video Game Violence," presented by Craig A. Anderson, Iowa State University
• "Screen Violence," presented by Dimitri Alexander Christakis, Seattle Children;s Research Institute

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics