The Effects of Video Game Sales on Violent Crime Rates in Canada

Video games are a relatively new phenomenon, and as such there has been a plethora of research done to help understand the effects of video games. When it comes to the influence of video games on violent crime, there has been much research on the topic but with little consensus. Additionally, the existing literature cannot provide any conclusive evidence, with some stating that video games influence violent behavior and others stating the opposite. This paper attempts to contribute to the research by trying to answer the question of whether an increase in video game sales can influence increases in violent behavior. A quantitative approach was used, analyzing popular video game sales as well as violent crime rates in Canada to find a relationship between the two variables. It was found that increases in video game sales have led to increases in violent crime rates. This can help influence policy makers on making laws and policies that affect video games in the future, such as stricter regulations for purchasing violent video games.