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The US government is once again pointing toward videogames as a possible factor in gun violence, despite decades of studies showing no clear link.
Kennedy’s Claim
At a press conference following the Make Our Children Healthy Again report, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of health and human services, argued that guns are not the issue.
Kennedy said violent incidents began rising in the 1990s. He recalled that when he was young, guns were common but school shootings were not.
“We had comparably the same number of guns. Kids brought guns to school and were encouraged to do so, and nobody was walking into schools and shooting people.”
He compared the US to Switzerland, which also has widespread gun ownership. However, its last mass shooting was more than 20 years ago, while the US sees one almost daily.
Videogames Back in the Spotlight
Rather than focusing on firearms, Kennedy pointed to other possible causes. These included psychiatric drugs, social media, and videogames.
He confirmed that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will study potential links.
“We’re initiating studies to look at the correlation and the connection, potential connection, between over-medicating our kids and this violence, and these other possible co-founders as well,” Kennedy said.
A Familiar Talking Point
Blaming videogames for real-world violence is not new. The idea has resurfaced many times in US politics.
Donald Trump raised it during his first administration. The Obama administration did the same in 2013 after the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Yet academic research has repeatedly found no meaningful connection between violent games and violent behavior. Still, the argument remains useful when gun reform faces resistance.
Beyond Videogames
Kennedy’s stance is striking because it sounds almost routine compared to his other views. He has questioned vaccine safety and defended unpasteurized milk, despite clear health risks.
During the same press conference, he claimed that “over 99% of vaccine injuries go unreported.” He also accused the CDC of covering up the data.
The Make Our Children Healthy Again report itself does not name videogames directly. However, it does raise concerns about “screen time.” It also promises that a future Surgeon General will launch an initiative to address it in schools.
