'No Causal Connection' Between Video Games and Violence, Says ESA

The Entertainment Software Association rejected President Donald Trump’s comments on video games as a contributor to violence in the U.S. in a Monday speech addressing the weekend's mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton: “We must stop the glorification of violence in our society," Trump said, including “the gruesome and grisly video games that are now commonplace." Video games “positively contribute to society, from new medical therapies and advancements, educational tools, business innovation, and more,” ESA emailed. “Video games help players connect with family and friends, relieve stress, and have fun. We encourage parents who have concerns about age-appropriate video game content to visit ParentalTools.org to learn more how to control what games are played in their homes.” The trade group referenced its comments following a video game meeting at the White House in March 2018 citing scientific studies establishing “no causal connection between video games and violence.” More than 165 million Americans play video games, “and billions of people play video games worldwide,” said ESA. “Yet other societies, where video games are played as avidly, do not contend with the tragic levels of violence that occur in the U.S.”