Virtual Reality (VR) Peace Literacy in Schools to Decrease Youth Violence
Date: May 8th, 2023
Allocate $3 million from Governor’s School Safety Budget to Decrease School Violence
We cannot turn on the television without being witness to the devastation of violence in our communities and schools. In Michigan: 5,402, 5,710, and 6,600 were the reported numbers of violent victimizations reported in schools in 2015, 2017, and 2018 respectively, according to the National Center For Education Statistics (NECS). Nationally, in 2020, there were 100,000 violent crimes committed by youth between the ages of 12-17. These frighteningly sobering data points are just a few that I am sure influenced Governor Whitmer’s FY 2024 budget plan to invest significant funding to address school safety and students’ physical and mental health. The budget proposal includes $318 million over two years to expand existing school safety grant opportunities for districts and $300 million over two years to invest in student mental health. I am proposing that a small fraction of those dollars, $3 million, are allocated to a new Peace Literacy Pilot Initiative (PLPI) that elevates students’ physical and mental health and promotes school safety to decrease the number of violent crimes in schools.
Some argue that the school’s job is not to teach peace literacy or promote peaceful student interactions. They say that schools should focus solely on academic instruction and leave the teaching of interpersonal skills and conflict resolution to parents or other institutions. However, a study published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution found that students participating in peace education programs significantly improved their conflict resolution skills compared to a control group. These findings suggest that promoting peace literacy in schools can help reduce violence, encourage positive student interactions, and increase academic achievement.
Violence Among Youth: Developmental Delays, Socialization, Desensitization & Aggression
Violence among youth is a growing concern in all of our communities. Socialization of violence significantly contributes to this issue, with exposure to violent media, including virtual reality (VR) violent games, negatively impacting healthy brain development.
Socialization to violence refers to how individuals learn and internalize violent behaviors and attitudes. The media plays a significant role in this socialization process, with exposure to violent media having a powerful impact on attitudes and behaviors. VR violent games have become increasingly popular, offering players a highly immersive and interactive experience. However, research has shown that exposure to violent VR games can have a negative impact on healthy brain development, contributing to the socialization of violence among youth:
Developmental Delays: Exposure to violent media, including VR violent games, can negatively impact healthy brain development. The brain develops rapidly during childhood and adolescence, with exposure to violent media potentially interfering with this development. Research has shown that exposure to violent media can lead to changes in brain function, including increased activity in the amygdala, a brain region associated with aggression and fear (Barlett et al., 2009). This increased activity can lead to desensitization to violence, contributing to the socialization of violence among youth.
Violent Behaviors and Attitude Reinforcement: Violent VR games often reward violent behavior, encouraging players to engage in violent actions to progress in the game. This reinforcement of violent behavior can lead to the internalization of violent attitudes, contributing to the socialization of violence.
Desensitization: Violent content desensitizes players to violence, making them more accepting of violent behaviors and attitudes. Research has shown that exposure to violent VR games can lead to reduced physiological responses to violence, indicating a desensitization to violent stimuli (Bailey et al., 2018). This desensitization can contribute to the socialization of violence, making youth more accepting of violent attitudes and behaviors.
Increased Aggression: A study by Anderson and Bushman (2001) found that exposure to violent media, including VR violent games, increased aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in children and adolescents. This exposure to violent media can desensitize youth to violence. Another study by Barlett and Rodeheffer (2009) examined the impact of violent video games on aggression. The study’s results showed that violent video games can increase aggression in children.
Innovative Peace Literacy Initiative Tackling Violence & Improving Cognitive Functioning Through Cooperation, Conflict Resolution, Empathy
VR immersive games can also promote healthy brain development. VR technology in education provides unique opportunity for children to explore and engage with different environments and situations in a safe and controlled manner.
Research has shown that VR games that focus on peace literacy can promote healthy brain development and reverse developmental delays that result from exposure to violence:
Promote Conflict Resolution: A study by Rosas, Nussbaum, and Cumsille (2003) examined the impact of a VR game designed to promote conflict resolution skills in middle-school children. The study results showed that children who played the game had better conflict resolution skills and were better able to manage difficult situations than children who did not play the game.
Increased Empathy: A study by De Freitas and Oliver (2006) examined the impact of a VR game designed to promote empathy in young children. The study results showed that children who played the game had increased empathy and were better able to understand and respond to the emotions of others.
Improved Cognitive Function: A study conducted by Green and Bavelier (2003) examined the impact of video games on cognitive function. The study showed that video games can improve cognitive function, such as attention and spatial skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, peace literacy aims to introduce children to the concepts of peace, conflict resolution, and empathy. It provides children the tools and strategies to understand and manage their emotions, communicate effectively, problem-solve, and improve mental health outcomes. Using VR immersive games as an innovative education platform can play a critical role in promoting healthy brain development in children by engaging them in interactive learning environments in which children can learn and practice social and emotional skills, such as empathy, conflict resolution, and cooperation in simulated, safe environments. I want to partner with you on this important, necessary, and innovative body of work to decrease violence in communities across Michigan.