JUDICIAL STANDARDS OF PROVING A CAUSAL CONNECTION BETWEEN ELECTRONIC GAMES AND VIOLENT OFFENSES IN UKRAINE AND THE USA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/klj/2026.1.44Keywords:
electronic games, violent crimes, judicial standards of proof, freedom of expression, comparative jurisprudence, criminal liabilityAbstract
The article offers a comprehensive comparative analysis of judicial standards of proving a causal connection between electronic games with violent content and real criminal offenses in the legal systems of Ukraine and the USA. It is argued that the lack of scientifically sound criteria for establishing such a connection creates legal uncertainty for judicial enforcement and potential threats to constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. The author analyzes the American judicial doctrine, which has established high standards of proving direct causation and constitutional protection of video games as a form of protected expression. The scientific literature is analyzed, demonstrating contradictory conclusions regarding the impact of game content on aggressive behavior, in particular, discrepancies between meta-analytic studies and critical reappraisals with correction for publication bias. The procedural requirements for the admissibility of expert opinions in the context of psychological research on the impact of media content on behavior are examined. Ukrainian legislative regulation is considered, including constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, criminal law principles of establishing a causal relationship. It is established that the judicial standards of both jurisdictions form a practically unattainable barrier of proof for imposing liability on game developers for the actions of users, since they require not just correlation, but direct causality. A preventive approach through age marking and access restrictions is substantiated as an effective alternative to repressive measures. The need for further interdisciplinary research is identified to form scientifically sound judicial practice that would ensure a balance between the protection of society and the constitutional rights to freedom of creativity and expression in the context of the development of digital technologies
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