Grand Theft Childhood

The video game Grand Theft Auto IV hits the streets today.  Controversy has surrounded the Grand Theft series since its beginning, due to its adult nature and violence.  But its in-depth storylines and high production values have helped the franchise sell over 70 million copies, and the new release is expected to be the top selling game of all time. Politicians and pundits have linked every school shooting in recent memory to violent video games, and they are often accused of corrupting our nation's youth. But there is a growing body of research that shows no connection.  Cheryl Olson and her husband, Lawrence Kutner, direct the Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital, and they're psychiatrists at Harvard Medical School. They've co-authored a new book, Grand Theft Childhood. Tuesday on Word of Mouth, New Hampshire Public Radio's Abby Goldstein talks with Cheryl Olson about her research.

Video games are also popping-up in places you might not expect, like your local public library. We'll talk with Beth Gallaway, a consultant who helps libraries set-up video game programs to attract more members of the community, no matter what their age. Her company, Information Goddess Consulting, is based in Hampton, New Hampshire.

(Photo by Adam Melancon)