In recent news many people have tried to explain the behaviors of teenagers who act violently. Whether it's school shootings or attacks on peers or elders, it seems that teenagers today are acting out more frequently than usual. Many people have come to the conclusion that the cause of all this violence is exposure to violent video games. During my research I discovered that this is not the case. “Playing video games could be compared to smoking cigarettes. A single cigarette does not cause lung cancer, but smoking for weeks, months or years significantly increases the risk. Similarly, repeated exposure to violent video games can have a cumulative effect on aggression.” (Suciù 1). Playing violent video games for long periods of time during the ever-impressionable period of adolescence can cause long-term negative effects. Playing violent video games has no direct correlation to immediate violence among teens. There are many factors related to adolescent violence, social violence, including bullying, physical fighting, criminal assaults and even murder. The media often links the playing of violent video games to suspects in school shootings in the United States (Grohol 1). “Other major arguments against a cause-and-effect relationship between violence in games and violence in real life focus on trends much broader than the occasional horrific school shooting. Some experts point to the fact that while sales of violent video games are increasing, violent crime rates in the United States are decreasing” (Layton 1). Identifying violent video games as the “bad guy” in crime stories may also be easier for people than figuring out on their own the complicated overlap of nature-nurture factors that produce… middle of paper… boos who didn't play video games ." (Layton 1). Works Cited Grabmeier, Jeff. "Communications Research and Innovation." Violent Video Games: More Playtime Equals More Aggression. Ohio State University, December 10, 2012. Web. November 17, 2013. Grohol, John M. "In new study, video games are not linked to violence in high-risk youth | Psych Central News." Psych Central.com. Psych Central.com, August 27, 2013. Web. November 17, 2013. Layton, Julia. "Do Violent Video Games Lead to Real Violence?" March 24, 2008. HowStuffWorks.com. November 17, 2013 . Soave, Robby. "The Daily Caller." The Daily Caller, May 23, 2013. Web. November 17, 2013. Suciu, Peter And Violence Not Related to Video Games RedOrbit.com, August 26, 2013. Web.. 2013.