Two Minutes

Video violence's aftereffects

It's just a game ... a video game. And the violence in it isn't real. Unfortunately, says ISU psychologist Craig Anderson, the effects of video violence on the game player can be all too real.

A simple message: A pioneer in media and video violence studies, Anderson admits there are complexities in this kind of research. "But there is a simple message that parents, educators and public policy makers need to hear," he says. "Playing violent video games can cause increases in aggression and violence."

Cartoon mayhem: Even cartoon violence in children's games appears to spark aggression. That's a conclusion Anderson and his ISU colleagues, professor Doug Gentile and doctoral student Katherine Buckley, draw in their recent book Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents.

Advice to parents: Check the content of every game in your child's life, Anderson says. "Many 'teen' games are very violent and even games labeled appropriate for 'everyone' can contain potentially harmful content."

Spreading the word : A renowned expert in media and video violence, Craig has discussed his research with a U.S. Senate committee, on NBC's "Today Show," and in Entertainment Weekly and numerous other media.