Violence has once again taken center stage in public discussions, reigniting the long-running debate over whether video games could contribute to real-world aggression. Recently, U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. weighed in on the topic, suggesting there might be a connection between gun violence and gaming.
Gun-related violence remains one of the nation’s most urgent issues, with ongoing debate over its underlying causes. In a recent PBS appearance, Kennedy Jr. was asked about the relationship between mental health, firearms, and children’s wellbeing.
“The question of firearms is a complex one,” Kennedy Jr. said, recalling how gun-related violence began drawing national attention in the 1990s.
He went on to cite several possible factors behind the prevalence of gun violence, including “dependence on psychiatric drugs,” as well as a potential “connection to video games or social media.”
Kennedy Jr. added that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are currently conducting studies to determine whether overmedication in children could be related to real-world acts of violence.
However, he did not elaborate on why he brought up video games or what the connection could mean within the broader discussion of health and safety.
His comments came the same day Mexico’s president announced plans to impose an 8% tax on violent video games starting in 2026, and just one day before the death of political activist Charlie Kirk.
