How Do Video Games Affect Society?

Gr 7 Up–While teachers and parents may be more interested in the topic than tweens and teens, these companion books will provide readers with an insightful look at a review of the literature. The authors do a balanced job of presenting both potential positives and negatives of spending time playing video games. Nakaya specifically points out that understanding research outcomes may depend on the organization executing the research and that the results may be interpreted by with varying and conflicting conclusions. The link between possible violence and video games is well researched in both books. Blocks of information, quotations, and color photographs add welcome breaks to the text while offering additional information and enhancing visual appeal. This topic is of interest to adults, and they may find the books an insightful read, as they are a solid offering on a perplexing subject, while students may find the resources helpful for research. Acceptable additional purchases

Humans have played games for centuries, and the thorough titles in the Video Games and Society series explore some of the numerous issues related to today’s popular pastime. The History of Video Games provides a detailed look at the nonlinear growth of the video game industry, beginning with the earliest video games developed as an accidental offshoot of initial computer research and noting such important factors as big personalities and market economics. How Do Video Games Affect Society? discusses the conflicting research regarding physical and social costs and benefits associated with gaming, as well as how gaming can become an addiction. Video Games and Youth focuses on the divided research concerning gaming and its effect on children and teens, especially the impact of playing violent games and connections between gaming and health and learning. Video Games, Violence, and Crime examines the relationship between gaming and mass shootings, antisocial behavior, and mental illness, highlighting the disagreement on a cause-and-effect relationship between violent games and violent crimes. A final chapter in this book addresses legal responses to gaming issues. Accompanied by color photos and related quotes and sidebars, these titles offer a balanced view of the topics, while additional back matter presents resources for these useful debate guides.