Trump blames violent video games for US mass shootings

In the wake of the mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas over this past weekend, US President Donald Trump blamed violent video games in his public address on Monday.

"We must stop the glorification of violence in our society. This includes the gruesome and grisly videogames that are now commonplace. It is too easy today for troubled youth to surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence," Trump said on record.

Not satisfied with just blaming video games, the US President also pointed to the internet and social media as culprits as well. "The perils of the internet and social media cannot be ignored, and they will not be ignored," he said.

Despite a comprehensive study from the Oxford Internet Institute, the pervasive idea that violent video games result in real-world violence is still a popular one. Video games continue to remain a convenient scapegoat for US politicians even when evidence proves otherwise.

Although Trump has not announced any measures or policy against video games, shares fell by at least 5% for publishers Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive following his remarks (via Bloomberg).

It remains to be seen if actual steps will be taken against violent video games but it is clear that American publishers are already bracing for tough measures.