The Effects of Video Games on Children Many people claim that violent video games are desensitizing children to violence, and making them more hostile and aggressive in social situations. Many video games nowadays have some sort of violence. These games can range from mild to extremely brutal. When children are exposed to these games, they very well could affect how children think. These games, when exposed to children, will, in fact, make them desensitized to violence, and even become violent themselves.
02 Feb. 2014. self-control-unethical-behavior-112513/>. Tassi, Paul. "Obama Calls for Government Funded Research Into Violent Video Games."Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 16 Jan. 2013. Web.
Video games have changed a lot since the introduction of Pong in 1972. Violent scenarios have become a mainstay in the new era of massively popular video games. Just take a look at the $800 million Grand Theft Auto 5 earned in just 24 hours of its release in 2013 (TIME). Video games have become a mainstay in the American household with nearly 52% of households claiming that they own at least one console from the current generation in 2012 (Juba). With the magnitude of popularity that violent video games are facing these days, it is no wonder that they have come under great scrutiny by many social scientists and parents alike.
Nevertheless, with the level of practicality, there are also negative affects to humanity. Since the manufacture of violent video games, there has been a constant quarrel whether or not violent video games increase fierceness in the player. Studies display concerns about the effect of violent video games on young individuals who play videogames disproportionately. Although some individuals believe that violent video games have no effect on them, they can lead to violent behavior. Violent video games can cause people to not live completely an ordinary life.
This shows that violent video games aren't as bad as depression and delinquent peers at creating violent. Although that may be true directly, some delinquent behavior is caused by violent video games. So even if they didn't play video games, then the delinquent peers probably did, so they were still affected by violent video games. Although some people believe violent video games to be fine for children, those kind of games aren't because they can cause aggressive behavior. However, one of the worst results of violent video games is increased aggression levels.
The first big console video game to be invented was Pong in 1972 (infostory). Videogames have advanced greatly since the 42 years of its creation, and so have many growing controversies. Its no surprise that videogames have become more and more violent with age and growing technology, but the growing concern is whether it’s making players more violent. Many parents believe that these “violent” games are desensitizing kids and making them more prone to aggressive acts and violent thoughts, but aren’t these kids simply playing a game? The argument that video games result in children becoming more violent has been disproved in studies, ignores the positive affects of videogames, and is managed by the Entertainment Rating Software Board (ESRB) rating system.
A video game is “an electronic game in which players control images on a television or computer screen” (Merriam-Webster). Video games have been entertaining and challenging gamers since the Game Boy to modern console games. Despite the simplicity of the definition of video games, a video game, especially ones containing violence can have a large effect on the gamer. Because of the realism and advancements in the video game industry, video games can influence the player, and can make the gamer more aggressive, even if the game is not a violent video game. Even though video games have grown in popularity over the past decade, some have not been too popular with parents, for the reason that they are too violent.
With the sales of violent video games going up and the increased violence in schools and teenagers, video games are always to blame. Many people speculate that video games are the cause on why many teenagers have developed aggressive and violent behavior, are desensitize to violence, and the increase violence in schools and public places. In contradiction, video games have little or no fault in teenagers’ violent behavior and shouldn’t always be blamed. For many years, many people have linked the increased violent and aggressive behavior in teenagers and children to violent video games for two main reasons. Video games are very addictive and gamers can become very violent and aggressive when someone tells them to stop playing and can spark the violence in people who already have aggressive behavior.
16, 2007, a highly anti-game protester Jack Thompson linked the shooting to the PC game Counter-Strike. This trend continues later as Mitt Romney as well as Doctor Phil supported Thompson that video games were to blame. It was later revealed that the shooter did not play video games, and these allegations were entirely wrong. This is clear evidence that the idea of video games causing violence is a present idea in our society, especially among high school and college aged individuals committing acts of violence. Video games are often thought to cause these acts of violence when underage or young people are involved because those age groups are seen as a time of development, when individuals still have the ability to be influenced, especially by media.
Violent video games are extremely popular among teens and adults. Violence is not only seen in video games or on television, it can be seen anywhere from the streets to children’s fairy tales and books. Violent video games are not anything new to most teens. If you really think about it, teens are more than likely smart enough to know better and the difference between what’s real and what’s not. In all reality, it is what it is, a game.