Join Rob McConnell as he welcomes Dr. Bruce Hennigan, physician, author, Christian apologist, playwright, and novelist, for a controversial discussion about violent video games and their possible influence on teenagers and young adults. Hennigan, a practicing radiologist and author of the supernatural Christian thriller series The Chronicles of Jonathan Steel, became interested in the subject while researching depression and cultural influences affecting young people. He subsequently participated in numerous radio interviews examining the question of whether prolonged exposure to violent gaming can influence attitudes and behaviour. Hennigan argues that the issue is more complicated than simply claiming that playing a violent game automatically creates a violent person. In his own writings, he explicitly states that violent video games cannot simply be blamed for killings, acknowledging that violent behaviour has many possible causes. His concern instead focuses on whether hours of immersion in violent entertainment can influence aggression, thinking, emotional responses, social interaction, or an individual's perception of violence—particularly among young people who may already be vulnerable. During this provocative conversation, Rob and Bruce examine first-person shooters, gaming culture, parental responsibility, age ratings, excessive gaming, isolation, depression, aggression, and the difference between fantasy and reality. Hennigan places considerable responsibility on parents, arguing that they need to understand what their children are playing, pay attention to ratings and content, establish appropriate boundaries, and remain actively involved rather than expecting the gaming industry alone to protect young players. The broader scientific debate is more nuanced than the provocative title of this episode suggests, making this exactly the kind of subject worth examining from different perspectives. Join Rob McConnell and Dr. Bruce Hennigan on The 'X' Zone Radio Show as they ask some difficult questions: Can repeated exposure to virtual violence affect real-world behaviour? Are vulnerable teenagers more susceptible than others? Where does parental responsibility begin? And when tragedy occurs, are we looking too quickly for one convenient explanation instead of confronting the much more complicated causes of youth violence? Hennigan's original X Zone appearance on this subject is preserved in the show's archives.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.
Please note that all CANCOM/XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.
We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.
TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won’t touch
.
These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media
