Violent Video Games and Our Children

Researches have shown that violent video games can cause violent effects on children. This can be seen in recent school shootings that took place in the U.S. Some of these games have been used to train soldiers in the military. Tests have shown that the violent games have changed the player’s attitude and the way they act in everyday life, like aggression, emotional problems, and an unhealthy social life.

For example, a player might think killing in reality will be as enjoyable as killing in a video game. The rating systems that have been set on the video games do not keep teens from getting a hold of them. The ratings can go from E (for everyone) to M (for mature). Some states are planning to ban games with violent content to keep their community safe. Violent video games are not affecting everyone who plays them, but they are causing a large majority of people to become violent and aggressive.

Some say that violent video games do not always have an affect on children. “In fact, I’ve always suspected that at some level, playing video and computer games can make you smarter” (Quittner 1). Few hardcore video gamers who played violent video games say that the games have not made them aggressive, they were mostly shy (Keegan 4).

A critic has asked if the violent games really teach the players how to kill, why has the murder rate declined during the past years? (Sullentrop 3). Sullentrop argues that “About half of all Americans play video games, wither killing time playing computer solitaire at the office or killing mutant dinosaurs” (5).

Keegan explains, “Violent video games offer some of the most compelling, simulating, and challenging entertainment available anywhere, in any form” (1).

The military also uses violent games for training. “Some members of today’s military do view video games as a means of honing fighting skills” (Sullentrop 1). The military is also using games like Doom to improve their fire rates, which helps soldier to fire their weapons during battle (Quittner 2).

Some believe that violent video games can also have some good effects. Quittner explains that Jenkus the co-editor of From Barbie to Mortal Combat, which is a book about how children react toward e-games, says “moderately violent video games might even be beneficial” (Quittner 2). Johan Huizenga argued that the concept “play” has to be a “third function” for humans, and it can be “just as important as reasoning and making” (Suellentrop 3). Violent video games are known to have bad effects on teen.

Some violent video games can change the way a person acts. They are known to give a feeling of being high. Hinds describes that violent video games are teaching people to kill and like it (3). In a recent high school shooting two teenagers killed 12 students and also themselves by using guns and bombs. Most violent video games are M for mature, which is for kids 17 and above. A test showed 15 out of 17 stores sold mature games to kids under 12 (France 2).

Violent video games have also shown behavioral changes in children. Violent video games have cause aggression in some players, and the more aggressive games they play; the more aggressive they will become (About.com 1). A study had shown that the players would also be aggressive to the people they were playing with. “Players would scream at their opponents when they lost” (About.com 1).

Also, the longer a player played the violent video game the more violent they would become (Willenz 1). The violent video games can cause a player to use their tactics in real life. “when the players learn more aggressive behaviors while playing violent video games, they start to use them in real life conflicts” (Willenz 2). These games can give the same feeling as being on an acid trip (Keegan 3). Some people even start taking drugs so they can play longer, or even to play better and be able to defeat their opponents (Curly 2).

Violent video games can also be addicting, which has been seen in children as young as eight years old and they can be as addicting as gambling or drugs (Curley 1). Parents can sometimes be responsible for their children playing the violent video games because they do not know how it can affect their children in bad ways. Some states have been trying to ban violent video games and some have tried to enforce the ratings. These roles have mostly been taken by parents to protect their children.

Violent video games are mostly for people 17 years and older, but kids are still getting their hands on them. Alinds explains, “Advertising of violent entertainment should be banned for children under seventeen.” Many parents are also taking the role of keeping the violent video games away from their children. Parents have claimed that violent video games are messing with their children’s minds. Some states have also planned to ban these games. The game Counter Strike is banned in Germany due to a school rampage (Anderson 1).

Researches have shown that half the games that are played by seven year olds are violent. This shows how the ratings are not doing anything to protect small children from getting their hands on these types of games, and causing them to have problems in the future. There is thought of restricting children from buying games with an M (mature) rating without the supervision of their parents or guardian.

Violent video games are among the most played games in the world. They are used by the military for training and are a popular source for entertainment. But they can also cause negative affects on children or any other player. They can be the cause of aggression and other emotional problems, such as fights in school or even hurting and killing another human being. Such examples of aggression are seen in school shooting and fights.

They can also give someone a feeling of being high, and can cause a person to actually start taking drugs, either to improve their game play, or to keep themselves up longer so they can play more. Some hardcore video gamers have said that the violent video games did not really have an effect on them. Parents could be one of the reasons why children are having access to such games.

Either their parents do not know about the dangers of the violent video games or they have no idea what sorts of games their children play. The rating systems are not very effective, 15 out of 17 stores have sold mature games to children under the age of seventeen. Some states are planning to ban violent video games completely. Germany has banned the game Counter Strike, and anyone caught with the game can serve up to 1 year in jail.

The smart thing to do would be to enforce the ratings on the video games, to make sure they are sold to the right people. Parents should also be more aware of what their kids are playing and how some games they are buying them can have negative affects.

More information about the dangers of violent video games should also be shown on TV because by informing people about them, there will be less of a chance that a child’s and a community’s future will be at risk.