APRIL 2002, Erfurt, Germany: a 19-year-old runs amok with a pistol at a school. His 20-minute shooting frenzy leaves 17 dead, including himself. April 1999, Littleton, Colorado: two teenagers rampage through Columbine High School with bombs, guns and knives, slaughtering 13 people before committing suicide.
These, and at least 12 other murders since 1997, have been linked to an obsession with violent video games. This year, the parents of a 14-year-old murder victim in the UK blamed the alleged killer’s obsession with the game Manhunt, provoking a government review of legislation to protect children.
But is there any scientific evidence…
