Video Games Have Long Been a Convenient Scapegoat.

The article examines the recurring debate in the United States over the role of violent video games in contributing to acts of violence, particularly following high-profile incidents such as the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It traces this moral panic back to the 1970s, highlighting how video games have repeatedly been scapegoated for broader societal issues like deindustrialization, urban decay, and social disillusionment. Despite periodic congressional hearings and public outcry, including the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board, concerns about violent video games have persisted without leading to substantial policy changes. The article suggests that focusing on video games as a cause of violence allows avoidance of addressing deeper, more complex social problems.