Video Games DON'T Make You Violent (But They Make You DEAF?!)
378Good news, everybody! Violent video games don't lead to a lack of empathy, which in turn could lead to real-world violence, according to a new study. However, ANOTHER new study says they CAN make you go deaf. Well, so much for the good news...
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Additional Context:
Good news and bad news for gamers around the world: While recent research suggests that playing violent video games does not lead to a lack of empathy or an increased propensity for real-world violence, another study raises concerns about the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus among gamers.
First, let's delve into the empathy aspect. A comprehensive study conducted by neuroscientists from the University of Vienna and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm explored whether exposure to violent video games affects human empathy. The study involved 89 adult male subjects with minimal prior experience with violent video games. These participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after playing either a violent or non-violent version of a video game over two weeks. The results indicated no significant impact of violent video games on the behavioral and neural correlates of empathy for pain or emotional reactivity to violence. This challenges the long-held belief that such games desensitize players to violence and reduce their empathic abilities.
However, a separate study published in BMJ Public Health raises concerns about hearing health among gamers. This review of 14 studies, involving over 50,000 participants, found that the sound levels in video games often approach or exceed safe exposure limits. Prolonged exposure to high-intensity sounds, especially through headphones, increases the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus—a ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ears. Gamers, including children and teenagers, are particularly at risk due to the popularity of gaming and the tendency to play for extended periods at loud volumes. The study urges greater public health efforts to raise awareness of these risks and promote safe listening practices. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion young people globally are estimated to be at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits, emphasizing the need for caution and preventive measures.
So while violent video games may not diminish empathy or lead to increased real-world violence, they do pose a significant risk to hearing health, underscoring the importance of balancing gaming enjoyment with the need for safe listening practices.
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