Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a U.S. presidential candidate, has stated that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are investigating various factors contributing to the rise of violence in the country, including video games. Responding to a PBS query about the link between violence and mental health, Kennedy Jr. emphasized that the issue of firearms and its causality is a “complex question.”
He cited several potential contributing factors, such as “dependence on psychiatric drugs,” video games, and social media. According to Kennedy Jr., studies are being initiated to explore the correlation between over-medicating children and violence, though he did not elaborate on video games specifically. These statements come amidst recent Washington hearings where Kennedy Jr. faced scrutiny for his views on vaccines, leading to calls for his resignation.
What Studies Have Revealed
For many years, the discussion regarding the connection between violent video games and aggressive behavior has remained pertinent. A 2019 study by Tobias Greitemeyer from the University of Innsbruck suggested that time spent playing violent video games “increases aggression in the player” and affects those connected to them. Another study concluded that “exposure to violent media, especially violent video games, may cause desensitization to real-life violence.” Furthermore, one study characterized video game violence as “a risk factor for aggression,” as it provides “social reinforcement of aggressive behavior.”
However, an Oxford University study found no link between aggressive behavior in teenagers and the amount of time they spent playing violent video games. Dr. Netta Weinstein from Cardiff University, a co-author of the study, suggested that “researcher biases might have influenced previous studies on this topic.” This research followed years of vetted data that also found no causal link between violent video games and an increase in violent crimes.
Political and Industry Perspectives
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also commented on video games. In 2019, following mass shootings, he declared that “we must stop the glorification of violence in our society,” including “the gruesome and grisly video games.” He called for an immediate reduction or cessation of this phenomenon.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which lobbies on behalf of the gaming industry, asserts that “numerous scientific studies have established that there is no causal connection between video games and violence.”
A Decades-Long Discussion
The debate over the impact of violent video games on real-world violence has spanned decades. As early as 2005, then-U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton described violent video games as a serious problem for children, advocating for their regulation similar to alcohol and tobacco. She compared their effect to how “lead exposure decreases children`s IQ scores” and urged for tools to empower parents to keep these products out of children`s hands.
RFK Jr.`s Investment in GameStop
In 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disclosed an investment of $24,000 in GameStop shares. This move was intended to demonstrate support for retail investors over institutional ones following the 2021 short-squeeze events. He made this investment after the prominent investor Keith Gill, known as Roaring Kitty, resurfaced in May 2024, when GameStop shares were trading around $17. Following this, the stock price surged and remains above $23. It is currently unknown whether Kennedy Jr. still holds his position in GameStop.