Poll suggests 58% of Americans blame violent games for violent acts

Survey group Harris Interactive has conducted a poll that suggests 58% of adult Americans believe there is a correlation between teenage violence and violent videogames.

VentureBeat reports that the poll found that three in five adult Americans - equating to 58% - blame violence in games for acts of teenage violence.

The survey was completed by just 2,278 American adults.

38% of participants said they had no knowledge of the ESRB's age-rating system for games, while 66% of households with child gamers said that they use ESRB ratings when informing their game purchases.

That said, only 14% of people surveyed said they actually understood the ESRB ratings, and that 18% said they fully understood them.

47% of people consulted said that they are't confident in the ESRB's ability to stop children from playing adult-rated games, while 33% of people consulted said that they let their kids play any games they like. Instead, the majority of participants said they felt more assured by TV and movie ratings.

Harris Poll president Mike de Vere said of the findings, “The findings underscore the lack of awareness Americans have about the video game rating system, as well as the confusion in the market.

"They also factor into a larger discussion playing out across our country and on a political stage around how violent games impact our youth, with President Obama recently announcing his desire to look into ways to fund research examining the impact of violent video games on children.”

What's your take? Is a larger test sample needed? Is there a link between violence and games? The debate trundles on.

Thanks Joystiq.