A Preregistered Longitudinal Analysis of Aggressive Video Games and Aggressive Behavior in Chinese Youth

Abstract

Whether aggressive video games (AVGs) promote aggression in youth remains a matter of debate despite decades of research. Longitudinal studies to date have provided mixed results, with effect sizes, overall, being quite low. However, few longitudinal studies have preregistered their analyses. The current article presents a preregistered analysis of AVG influences on later youth aggression. With several other variables controlled (age, sex, family income, moral disengagement, Time 1 aggression) AVG exposure did not predict Time 2 aggression. Evidence from this sample did not support the common belief that AVG exposure is a risk factor for future aggression in youth.