Abstract

The growing popularity of violent video games among adolescents in America has created dire challenges to the concept of school safety. As more children indulge in this form of media entertainment every year, the potential risk factors associated with its gameplay continue to increase. In regard to at-risk students, grades K-12, who deal with biological, psychological, cognitive, and environmental problems, violent video game exposure can lead to the adoption of aggressive behavior and invoke the process of dehumanization. Moreover, these adverse effects have laid the groundwork for the rise in school-related violence; whereas the number of bullying incidents and non-traditional school shooting victims has intensified since the beginning of the 21st century. Due to this occurrence, school districts across the country have implemented stricter approaches to school safety to settle public hysteria. Nevertheless, the enlargement of police presence in schools, zero-tolerance policies, and physical security measures have established the school-to-prison pipeline. The incarceration of youth in educational settings has followed the same racial disparities depicted in the adult prison population, only further proliferating the era of mass incarceration. In a country that yields the highest prison population rate per capita in the world, the question of how to reduce violence without incarceration is constantly asked. Conclusively, the solution resides in investing in school-based health professionals and transforming popular culture’s infatuation with violence.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 5-2-2021

Mentor

Lee Ann Morrison

Mentor Department Affiliation

Justice Studies

Access Options

Restricted Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Justice Studies

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