RFK Cites Video Games As A Possible Cause Of Real-World Gun Violence

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According to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who serves as the U.S. Health Secretary, the National Institutes of Health are examining various factors that might be linked to gun-related incidents within the United States. Furthermore, he proposed the notion that violent video games could potentially inspire actual acts of aggression.

He replied to PBS’s query on whether the government is considering mental health in relation to gun violence by saying that the issue of firearms is a complicated matter and not an easy one to address.

He identified several possible causes for an increase in real-world violence, such as the excessive use of psychiatric medication, as well as video games and social media. He mentioned that ongoing research is being conducted to determine if there’s a link between over-medicating children and the occurrence of such violence. Regarding video games, he did not provide any further details in this context.

Recently, RFK Jr. participated in a heated congressional hearing in Washington, where senators scrutinized his vaccine opinions and various assertions he’s made throughout his career. His resignation has been demanded by several individuals, even some from within his own family, while CDC employees staged a walkout in protest.

What some studies have already found

For quite some time now, it’s been widely believed that there exists a link between playing violent video games and an escalation of aggressive tendencies. A 2019 study by Tobias Greitemeyer, a professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, indicated that extended playtime of such games might foster aggression among players. Moreover, the research hinted that the violent video game playing habits of an individual could influence those around them as well.

A research piece has revealed that prolonged engagement with violent content, particularly violent video games, might lead to a decrease in sensitivity towards real-life violence. Another study suggests that the violence depicted in video games could be identified as a potential trigger for aggression, similar to other forms of violent media. This is because these games often provide social validation for aggressive behavior and offer opportunities for learning aggressive actions from modeled examples.

According to a study conducted by Oxford, there is no apparent correlation between aggressive behavior in teenagers and the length of time they spend playing violent video games. In reference to this, Dr. Netta Weinstein from Cardiff University, one of the authors, posited that potential research biases might have influenced earlier studies on the subject, potentially skewing our comprehension of the impact of video games on behavior.

This research, published following numerous previous studies, clearly indicates no link between playing violent video games and an escalation in criminal violence.

What has Trump said about video games?

RFK Jr.’s boss, US president Donald Trump, has previously spoken out about violence in video games.

In 2019, the president expressed concerns about the ongoing celebration of violence in our society, particularly video games that depict violent scenes. He noted that these games are easily accessible to troubled young people who may be at risk of being influenced by a culture that condones violence. The president urged for immediate action to either eliminate or significantly reduce this issue.

According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a group representing the video game industry and advocating against government control, multiple research studies have found no direct link between playing video games and acts of aggression.

This has been a talking point for some time

For several decades, discussions regarding the potential link between violent video games and actual violence have been prevalent. Back in 2005, former US Senator Hillary Clinton argued that these games pose significant issues and can have harmful effects on children. She further suggested that such games should be governed similarly to products like alcohol and tobacco.

Clinton stated that just as lead exposure can lower a child’s IQ as much as aggressive behavior can be heightened by playing violent video games. He suggested that we should handle such games similarly to products like tobacco, alcohol, and pornography, acknowledging their potential harmful impact on children. To protect kids from these potentially damaging influences, he proposed equipping parents with the necessary tools.

RFK Jr. is, or was, invested in video games

In 2024, RFK Jr. disclosed that he invested $24,000 into GameStop to demonstrate solidarity with individual investors against institutional investors during the GameStop short-squeeze event of 2021. This move was prompted by Keith Gill, also known as Roaring Kitty, who reemerged in May 2024 when GameStop’s shares were approximately $17, and sparked another fervor surrounding the GameStop stock. Following Roaring Kitty’s return to social media, GameStop’s share price soared, and it has remained above $23 since then. It is unclear if RFK Jr. still owns a stake in GameStop at this time.

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2025-09-10 17:11