This exposure promotes the media to act as role models and educators. (Media Violence 2) .
Physical and mental health problems for children and adolescents can be associated with the exposure to media violence. Some of these concerns are aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, fear, and sleep disturbances. Research has provided that the strongest single correlate with violent behavior is previous exposure to violence. Children younger than 8 are uniquely vulnerable to adopting the behaviors and circumstances that exist in the media because they lack the ability to discriminate between reality and fantasy. Early studies show that the child-initiated violence may be more harmful than passive media. Experimental studies show that after playing video games, children decrease in helping behaviors and increase in aggressive thoughts. "Playing violent video games has been found to account for a 13 to 22 percent increase in adolescents' violent behavior; by comparison, smoking tobacco accounts for 14 percent of the increase in lung cancer."" (Media Violence 2) Like many other harmful things, video games have been found to be addictive; repetition increases the games' effect. (Media Violence 2-3).
Children learn by what they see and do. So it is safe to say that if a child continuously plays a game where they are the initiator of violence, they are more likely to make decisions by reacting. On the other hand, a child who plays games that works their brains like puzzles are going to be more likely to make decisions by reason. The only problem is that most kids like violent games with high stress levels. A study by Dr. Jeanne Funk, found that among middle school students, 49 percent preferred to play electronic games that involved violence.
Evidence from Dr.Funk's study suggests that the children who play violent games are affected by their playing experiences. The children become accustomed to the violence and killing, implying their empathy levels are lower.