Many studies show that the violence displayed in video games is causing violent behavior, brain problems and a serious effect on our communities.

Video game companies need to cut back on the killing and the gory scenes used in modern day games because it is literally "brain washing" us.

Our community, teenagers mostly, are too influenced by these brutal games, and there needs to be a break created between the two-dimensional world and the three-dimensional world.

According to psychologist Bruce Bartholow from the University of Missouri-Columbia, people who play violent video games are more aggressive, more likely to commit violent crimes and are less likely to help others.

Studies show that these people display diminished brain responses to images of real-life violence, such as gun attacks but not to other emotionally disturbing pictures, such as those of dead animals or sick children. They have literally built up a tolerance to any emotional or violent situation they are seeing.

Craig Anderson of Iowa State University in Ames states, "These brain studies corroborate the many behavioral and cognitive studies showing that violent video games lead to increases in aggression."

Many people may argue that violence in video games makes them more fun to play, but they are completely unaware of what it's doing to them.

These types of games need to be "toned down" and changed to something that is still fun but doesn't damage our consciousness.

Haley Sauve, Bloomington