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	Study finds that violent video games may be linked to aggressive behaviours by Time Magazine, agencies   Psychologists have confirmed that playing violent video games is linked to aggressive and callous behaviour.   A review of almost a decade of studies found that exposure to violent video games was a "risk factor" for increased aggression.   But the same team of experts said there was as yet insufficient evidence to conclude that the influence of games such as Call Of Duty and Grand Theft Auto led to criminal acts.   The findings have prompted a call for more parental control over violent scenes in video games from the American Psychological Association (APA).   The report from the APA task force on violent media concludes: "The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in pro-social behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to aggression."   The report said to date research indicated no single influence led a person to act aggressively or violently. Rather, it was an "accumulation of risk factors" that resulted in such behaviour.   It added: "The research reviewed here demonstrates that violent video game use is one such risk factor."   The APA has urged game creators to increase levels of parental control over the amount of violence video games contain. Visit the related web page
	Faith central to hope and resilience, highlights UN chief, launching initiative to combat atrocities by United Nations News   Voicing concern over the abuse of religion to justify incitement to violence and discrimination, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today underscored the importance of religious leaders in preventing violence and contributing to peace and stability.   “Around the world, we see how religion is being twisted and cynically manipulated,” stressed the Secretary-General today, speaking at the launch of an initiative to prevent atrocity crimes, which include genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.   In his remarks, Mr. Guterres cautioned against the proliferation of hate speech – both online and offline – and said that such messages spread hostility and hatred, and encourage populations to commit violence against individuals or communities, often based on their identity.   “Hate speech sows the seeds of suspicion, mistrust and intolerance and over time, it can play an important role in convincing people that violence is logical, justifiable, even necessary,” added Mr. Guterres, joined by UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, and a number of religious leaders from around the world.   Hate speech is one of the most common warning signs of atrocity crimes, Mr. Guterres said, noting that early action can be taken to prevent them from occurring and that religious leaders are key actors in that warning process.   Also in his remarks, Mr. Guterres highlighted the commitment expressed in the Plan of Action for Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes to promote peace, understanding, mutual respect and the fundamental rights of all people.   He said the Plan sets out a broad range of ways in which religious leaders can prevent incitement to violence and contribute to peace and stability.   “These principles summon us to show respect for all human beings, even those with whom we might profoundly disagree or whose cultures might seem alien,” he said, calling for the widest possible dissemination and implementation of the Plan of Action.   “Let us work together to prevent and end atrocity crimes and all affronts to human rights and dignity,” he stated.   The Plan of Action is the product of two years of consultations led by Special Adviser Dieng, that involved religious leaders and actors representing different faiths and faith-based organizations around the world.   Known more commonly as the “Fez Plan of Action” for the city in Morocco where it was drafted in 2015, the Plan called for monitoring of incitement, the development of alternative messages, engagement in dialogue, efforts to develop and revise education to include better mainstreaming of appreciation of all cultures, engaging in and strengthening inter-religious and intra-religious dialogue and activities to ensure understanding, respect and communication, engaging in dialogue on grievances, strengthening clarity of message and engaging with political leaders.   It was further developed over the past two years in discussions with religious leaders, as well as young people, women and civil society groups.   Mr. Dieng said the Plan has been designed to counter the kind of ideology that led to the genocide against the Yazidi minority group at the hands of Islamic State (ISIL) militants. Visit the related web page
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