Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated that the National Institutes of Health are exploring various factors that could contribute to gun violence in the United States. Among these, he specifically highlighted video games as a potential cause of real-world aggression.
When questioned by PBS about the government`s consideration of mental health in relation to gun violence, Kennedy acknowledged the complex and challenging nature of the issue. He identified several elements that could lead to an increase in real-world violence, including “dependence on psychiatric drugs,” alongside video games and social media.
“We are commencing studies to explore the correlation and potential link between over-medicating children and this violence.”
Kennedy did not, however, elaborate on the connection to video games. These statements follow a tense hearing in Washington where senators interrogated RFK Jr. regarding his views on vaccines and other claims he has made over the years. This led to calls for his resignation, even from his own family members, and a protest walkout by some CDC staff.
Prior Research Findings
For many years, a connection between violent video games and increased aggressive behavior has been asserted. A 2019 study by Tobias Greitemeyer, a Psychology professor at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, suggested that time spent playing violent video games “increases aggression in the player” and “also affects individuals with whom the player is connected.”
Another study found that “exposure to violent media, especially violent video games, may cause desensitization to real-life violence.” A separate investigation concluded that video game violence “should be considered a risk factor for aggression, as in other violent media, as it provides a social reinforcement of aggressive behavior and observational learning of aggressive models.”
In contrast, research from Oxford discovered no link between aggressive behavior in teenagers and the amount of time they spent playing violent video games. Dr. Netta Weinstein from Cardiff University, a co-author, commented, “Our findings suggest that researcher biases might have influenced previous studies on this topic, and have distorted our understanding of the effects of video games.” This particular study emerged after years of published and vetted research that had previously shown no connection between violent video games and an increase in violent crimes.
Trump`s Stance on Video Games
Donald Trump, formerly the U.S. President, has also previously spoken out about violence in video games.
“We must stop the glorification of violence in our society. This includes the gruesome and grisly video games that are now commonplace. It is too easy today for troubled youth to surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence. We must stop or substantially reduce this, and it has to begin immediately.”
Trump made these remarks in 2019 following a series of mass shootings in America. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which lobbies on behalf of the video game industry and seeks to avoid government regulation, stated that “numerous scientific studies have established that there is no causal connection between video games and violence.”
A Long-Standing Debate
The debate surrounding the potential impact of violent video games on real-world violence has been ongoing for decades. Some may recall that in 2005, then-U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton stated that violent video games were a major problem, citing studies showing their detrimental effects on children. She also advocated for regulating violent video games similarly to alcohol and tobacco.
“Violent video games increase aggressive behavior as much as lead exposure decreases children`s IQ scores. We need to treat violent video games the way we treat tobacco, alcohol, and pornography. We know these products are damaging to children and we need to give parents the tools to keep them out of kids` hands.”
RFK Jr.`s Past Investment in GameStop
In 2024, RFK Jr. revealed an investment of $24,000 into GameStop. He explained this as a way to show support for retail investors over institutional investors following the 2021 GameStop short-squeeze. RFK Jr. stated that he invested in GameStop after Keith Gill, also known as “Roaring Kitty,” resurfaced in May 2024—when GameStop`s shares were trading around $17—and reignited the GameStop stock phenomenon. After Roaring Kitty began posting again, GameStop`s stock price surged, and the stock price remains above $23. It is currently unknown if RFK Jr. still holds a position in GameStop.