R18+ computer game classification review released by the Minister for Home Affairs and Justice

The Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor today released a review of existing research into whether people who play violent computer games are at greater risk of being aggressive.

This analysis of the available literature shows that:

• there is no conclusive evidence that violent computer games have a greater impact on players than other violent media, such as movies or music videos
• there is stronger evidence of short-term effects from violent computer games, than long-term effects
• some research finds that violent computer games are a small risk factor in aggressive behaviour over the short term, but these studies do not thoroughly explore other factors such as aggressive personality, family and peer influence and socio-economic status.

The introduction of an R18+ classification for video games will be discussed at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting in Canberra on Friday 10 December.

The literature review is available here