This paper explains that the video game industry is the fastest growing
entertainment industry and second only to music in
profitability, but there is concern regarding the link between violent video games and a number of negative behaviors in children and adolescents who play them. The author lists the goals of this research project, which are (1) to study the violence level of adolescents who regularly play on-line video games, (2) to examine the relationship between violent on-line game exposure and violence level of adolescents, and (3) to recommend ways to reduce the effect of violent online video games on adolescents. The paper reports that this research will use a confidential email questionnaire drawn from a sample population of participants from online game centers in Hong Kong, soliciting their video game usage and opinions about how it affects them. Illustration and graph. Table of Contents Introduction Statement of the Problem Aims of the Research Hypotheses Literature Review Myths and Facts The Online Gaming Industry The Atmosphere of an Online Gaming Center Effects of Violent Online Games Risk and Protective Factors for Youth Violence Theoretical Perspectives Methodology Ethics Participants Design and Materials Procedure Survey Instrument Sample and Implementation Analysis Positives Negatives Summary of Findings Observational Studies Self-Report Studies Experimental Studies Other Studies Conclusion