The Effect of Violent Online Games on Adolescents: an Empirical Study in Mainland China

With the development of online games in Mainland China and the popularity of them among adolescents&;This study adopted quantitative questionnaire surveys among adolescents as the main research method, supplemented by qualitative textual analysis. By selecting World of Warcraft, which is the most popular MMORPG game among players, this study analyzed the characteristics of how the violent elements are demonstrated and also the narrative strategies of violence. Questionnaire surveys were conducted based on a stratified cluster sampling of eight middle schools in Guangzhou. The final sample consisted of 518 adolescents.;The findings show that most popular games among adolescents are violent. Violent online games did not predicted significant violent beliefs on personal level, and partly predicted violent beliefs on societal level. Violent online game playing was not significantly associated with players' fear of crime. However, on the other hand, the cultivation effects of violent online games on mean world syndrome, attitude toward violence, empathy and violent intentions are supported.;This study also conducted an exploratory research on the relationships among violent online games playing, attitudes toward violence, empathy and violent intentions by using Structural Equation Modeling. It is found that violent online games playing directly influenced intentions, and also indirectly influenced intentions through its effects on attitude towards violence. Violent online game playing is negatively associated with empathy&...