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Adolescent Video Game Playing And Fighting Over The Long‐Term

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  • Michael R. Ward

Abstract

I present new evidence of the link between video game play and fighting. The General Learning Model predicts that increased aggression from playing violent video games. These predictions are tested using a large longitudinal data set tracking adolescents over time. Consistent with previous research, there is a positive raw correlation between video game playing as an adolescent and aggressive outcomes, in this case fights, even more than a decade later. However, multivariate and instrumental variables estimators do not find a causal relationship. Some implications are: support policy for further interventions is undermined, future research should be more careful about identification threats, and similar methodological approaches can be applied to the effects of other new communication technologies. (JEL D18, L86, O35)

Suggested Citation

  • Michael R. Ward, 2020. "Adolescent Video Game Playing And Fighting Over The Long‐Term," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 38(3), pages 460-473, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:38:y:2020:i:3:p:460-473
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael R. Ward, 2010. "Video Games and Adolescent Fighting," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 53(3), pages 611-628.
    2. Charles F. Manski, 1993. "Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 60(3), pages 531-542.
    3. Gordon Dahl & Stefano DellaVigna, 2009. "Does Movie Violence Increase Violent Crime?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 124(2), pages 677-734.
    4. Scott Cunningham & Benjamin Engelstätter & Michael R. Ward, 2016. "Violent Video Games and Violent Crime," Southern Economic Journal, Southern Economic Association, vol. 82(4), pages 1247-1265, April.
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D18 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Protection
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation

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