An Irish psychologist is urging caution around a new study, which claims to show a link between playing violent video games and aggressive behaviour.

Psychologists in America also saw changes in social behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to violence, but researchers do not suggest youngsters will commit more crime.

But they say there is not enough evidence to prove the influence of games like 'Grand Theft Auto' lead to criminal acts.

The American Psychological Association wrote the report after reviewing almost a decade worth of studies.

It is encouraging game developers to increase the level of control parents can have over how much violence young people see.

But, Brendan Rooney from the UCD School of Psychology says the studies they reviewed do not show a direct link between the two.

Games and technology journalist, Guy Cocker, says parents might misunderstand their children's behaviour - when they are just being competitive.

"When you play FIFA online for example, if someone's loosing, there's a term called 'rage quitting'" he said.

"So you're so annoyed that you're loosing the game you just pull the plug or just throw your controller - that's the problem with a lot of video games" he added.