Video Game Violence

[Muffin Top Merkley]

Several months ago, the Government of California submitted its initial written argument in its case to bale the same of violent videogames to minors. Originally, the case was deemed unconstitutional by federal district court but now it will be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

By enforcing stricter rules on videogame retailers, the government hopes to stop some games from reaching children that are believed to be too young to be exposed to scenes of realistic violence. A large number of studies have linked playing videogames to a possible increase in aggressive behavior. But so far, there is very little evidence that games have any negative effect on child behavior.

According to Christopher J. Ferguson, an associate professor of Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M International University and an expert in videogames and violence, there is no conclusive research that violent videogames cause violence in kids.

“The bottom line is that while there’s been a lot of rhetoric and controversy surrounding violent video games increasing violence in youth, the data that exists does not support this connection,” said Ferguson. “There’s certainly still some debate on this but the data is increasingly lining up to suggest that there’s really nothing to be terribly worried about. I think that there’s a lot of rhetoric that’s making people scared, but that rhetoric is not based on clear, objective look at the data that exists.”

The majority of group studies focusing on violence and videogames that have been conducted around the world have focused on college students rather than children. Researches also fair to clearly define what is considered a violent videogame in the first place.

Adding to the inaccuracy of data collected is the interactive nature of games. Games such as Thief, the Metal Gear Solid franchise and Deus Ex can have a very different interaction depending on each individual play through of the game. What one person chooses to do with the game could be very different from what another kid chooses to do with it and it is very possible to play through the experience without actually killing anyone.

Ferguson recently conducted a study of six hundred kids ages ten to fourteen and found that the best predictors of youth violence were things like mental health. The study found that children who were depressed or who had anti-social personalities were more prone to engaging in violent behavior.


1) What are your thoughts regarding violence and videogames?
2) Can violent videogames have a negative impression on a child’s mind and increase aggressive behavior?
3) Should countries be allowed to enforce stricter rules on the sales of videogames to minors?
4) What can be done to prevent videogames from receiving the amount of blame for youth violence that they often acquire

While the Californian Government has good intentions, the method of trying to stem the flow of violent content to the impressionable minds though legalization is flawed. A law that goes after video game retailers is an example of our refusal to admit the obvious – At every age we are inherently violent people desperate for an outlet and preventing the sales of video games to the youth that cannot separate game from reality is only delaying the inevitable.

Three things can reduce the amount of blame that is often placed onto videogames when it comes to youth violence:

1) Studies need to be conducted to determine why some kids are drawn to violent games and why some are unable to distinguish between a game and reality.

2) Youth gaming should be done in moderation. Gaming should be balanced with school work and exercise.

3) Parents should be aware of what their kids are playing, how much time is being spent playing and what is the ESRB rating of the games they are playing.

 

[Furyof5]

1) What are your thoughts regarding violence and videogames?

I think its perfectly acceptable for those whom are mature enough to handle it. Simply slapping a label of age on the games doesnt really cover it. I was capable of dealing with violence at a young age because I realized it was not real and was watching movies like Terminator 2. Violence in video games can be anything from funny to brutal, but it doesnt mean it should be limited in any way.


2) Can violent videogames have a negative impression on a child’s mind and increase aggressive behavior?

I dont think so. Ive seen many studies over the years but have yet to see and definitive proof on the subject. Furthermore it effected me in no ill way. A child's environment effects their behavior more so than video games or other mediums of entertainment.

3) Should countries be allowed to enforce stricter rules on the sales of videogames to minors?

I would say no, at least in America. The free market system allows us to thrive like we do, if we limit, restrict, or even ban certain games it can lead to s slippery slope which effects the whole of media. The issue has nothing to do with the market but those whom buy it. Parents should have enough sense to not purchase certain games for their children if they dont want them to play them or if they feel they are not mentally mature enough to deal with them. Simply because a child may still get a hold of these games is not reason enough to limit its sales and disrupting the free market.

4) What can be done to prevent videogames from receiving the amount of blame for youth violence that they often acquire

Politicians need to pull their heads out of their asses first and foremost. They dont know what they are talking about, and they need to stop pretending they do. Secondly people need to learn to start taking responsibility for what they allow their children to watch/play and what they themselves purchase for their children. Thirdly people need to understand that most of the negative arguments involving videogames are nothing but faux arguments. These people need to actually do their own research or even play these games. Videogames may cause frustration but at the same time they are a great way to unwind, and unless a child has issues outside of the game he will not shoot someone in a game then say "Thats cool Ill do that in real life". Its simply false.

 

[Spidey Revivey]

1) What are your thoughts regarding violence and videogames?

I can't speak for others, but for me it's therapeutic. I can steal a car, run down a hooker, and shoot up a police station without ever feeling the burden of moral obligations. I don't feel bad about it because it's a game. If I felt angry at someone in reality, I'm not going to pull a .45 out of my jacket and unload in his face. But in video games it's all good because the blood is pixelated, the people aren't real, and I am of sound mind not to go on a killing spree in real life.


2) Can violent videogames have a negative impression on a child’s mind and increase aggressive behavior?

Depends; how old is the child? All video games have a rating, and it's up to the parents to decide whether or not the child is mature enough to deal with the video game's themes. A preteen shouldn't play Grand Theft Auto for the same reason a preteen shouldn't watch Friday The 13th or any other gory, sexually explicit movie made. All games/movies/television shows have a rating system, and it's up to the guardian of said child to actually watch their child and decide whether or not they are ready for such things.



3) Should countries be allowed to enforce stricter rules on the sales of videogames to minors?

Yes and No. You really think stricter rules on video games will stop kids from playing games with violence? They can easily go to an older friends house and play it. Or they can get a bittorrent and pirate the thing. You'd be surprised what a kid can do thanks to technology nowadays. Kids can get their hands on drugs, alcohol, porn, etc. Nothing can really stop them from getting their hands on a video game.

Except the watchful eye of their parents.

4) What can be done to prevent videogames from receiving the amount of blame for youth violence that they often acquire

The manufacturing companies can only do so much for the rating system. I don't even see why they are getting such bad publicity. You don't take your child to a rated R movie, so why in the hell would you buy them a rated M game? I say turn the conversation around- start coming down on the guardians of these little bastards that are screwing up the quality of gaming for us teens/adults. I think the gamers (17+) should protest these idiots. But that's just me.

Nowadays you could say a kid decided to jump a cliff because he imitated Mario. That's pretty sad.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I could do without some of the violence in video games. Games can be just as fun without people getting stabbed and shot all the time. Sometimes a violent killing can make a cut-scene more epic should an important character die.... but games in general do not need to be violent. It can have a negative impact on a child who then tries to mimic what they have seen in the game. There should be "don't try this at home" disclaimers or something like that. Enforcing stricter rules on the sales of video games to minors won't do anything to help the problem, they will still find a way to get the games. Also that would bring down sales and the companies who make the games would earn less money. The only thing that can really be done is to take the violence out of games. That sounds like a daunting task, but it can be done. The developers know better than to let a game become too violent. Games should be a fun escape from reality. Violence will usually hinder that from being the case because it's somewhat depressing and just plain wrong.

 

[#hamler]

This thread is old as fuck but what the hell...

1) What are your thoughts regarding violence and videogames?

I don't think its a problem or a major issue that a Government needs to be worrying about. They have bigger issues to worry with like a lowering number of jobs that decrease each day, or our huge and still growing deficit. Worrying about gaming being too violent is an issue that shouldn't have anything to do with how out government runs things. Violent video games are stress relievers for most. If you fuking pissed off about something, I'm going to pop in Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row and go on a fuckin rampage. Would you rather me do that or make a mistake that will affect the rest of my life? When it comes to violent video games, they get a bad rep. When they are indeed, an important part of some people's life.


2) Can violent videogames have a negative impression on a child’s mind and increase aggressive behavior?

Yes, of course they can. Let me ask you this? Why do you have to be 18 to vote, or do most stuff? Because you can think for yourself. You don't think for yourself as much when you're younger. Video games will affect a child's mind no matter what you think. If a kid goes and shoots someone, then says well I do it all the time on my xBox, they've got a point. Children mimick what they see. However, It is one hundred percent up to the parent to know whether they are able to handle such games. Blaming the video games for violence is foolish. Blaming parents for violence is more right.


3) Should countries be allowed to enforce stricter rules on the sales of videogames to minors?

The game ratings are perfect. No need to change them. Just enforce them.


4) What can be done to prevent videogames from receiving the amount of blame for youth violence that they often acquire

Like I said, just enforce the laws. If a game is rated mature, 18 and older. Teen-13 and older, pretty much like the movie rating system. We need to enforce the ratings system to shut these parent the fuck up. I don't really see how anyone could really blame anyone for violence other than the parents. Its pretty simple.

 

[ABMorales787]

Parents can be real idiots and kids smell it and will take advantage of it. Not to mention gaming retailers don't give a damn about who they sell their games to. Let's face it, this generation is built on war games, so it obvious that there is a problem to let kids watch, let alone play this sort of game. If you don't believe me, go play a few FPS games online. If you can't find a 13 year old cursing his lungs out about being killed or rubbing the fact that him killed you, you probably unplugged the console. This shows that there indeed should be a limit to who plays what. Sometimes younger kids can't handle mature games.