Violent video games spur child aggression.

• Position: Mass Media

According to a study appearing in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 66% of researchers, 67% of parents, and 90% of pediatricians agree or strongly agree that violent video games can increase aggressive behavior among children.

"Some people claim there is no consensus about whether violent media can increase aggression in children, but this study shows that there is consensus," says psychologist Brad Bushman, lead author of fie study, who notes that, while 66% of researchers agree or strongly agree that violent video games increase aggression, only 17% disagreed or strongly disagreed. The remaining 17% were undecided. "That means that among researchers who have an opinion, eight out of 10 agree that violent games increase aggression. That's hardly a controversy"

However, there is considerable disagreement among the three groups as to whether media violence is a major factor in real-life violence. "With the general consensus about the harmful effects of media violence, it may seem surprising that some people still question the effects of violent media on aggression. One important reason is that...