Violent Video Games: Dangerous Entertainment

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Violent Video Games: Dangerous Entertainment

Since the beginning of organized society, entertainment has always been an aspect closely tied with human nature. From the times of ancient empires, such as the Romans and Greeks, humans have used entertainment as an outlet to escape the harsh reality of everyday life. Although in those times, entertainment was considered duels to the death with animals and other humans opposed to the censored reality shows and formulaic movies we have today. However, there isn’t much difference between the mortal combat that was exercised in ancient times, and the mortal combat that trickles down into today’s censored forms of television, music, and especially video games. Video games have progressed over recent years, becoming popular amongst a variety of people. Many authority figures object to many of today’s more gruesome games, feeling that such games have negative psychological effects on its players. Studies have shown that violent video games are in fact more harmful then violent television and movies because of the interactive nature of the games. “Young men and women who are habitually aggressive may be especially vulnerable to the aggression-enhancing effects of repeated exposure to violent games. Brief exposure to violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive behavior in all types of participants,” (Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D., Karen E. Dill, Ph.D.). Other researchers however, have come to different conclusions regarding the effects video games have on people. “The proponents also suggest that it may be a friendly way of introducing children to computers and may increase children hand eye coordination and detention to detail,” (The Psychological and Physical Impact, Nov...

... middle of paper ...

...hat immediate action should be taken in order to control the violence in video games today. There should be a profound improvement in previewing games before they are released into the market in order to get a more accurate censorship rating so that America’s youth isn’t exposed to entertainment that could affect their well being. If we do not act immediately, who knows how many more Columbines, and other tragic offenses will occur.

Works Cited

- “Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior in the Laboratory and

Life.” Yahoo. American Online. 7 November, 2004.

- Willenz, Pat. “Violent Video Games can Increase Aggression.” April 20, 2000.

www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html

- “The Psychological and Physical Impact.” Nov, 2000. Yahoo. American Online. 7

November, 2004. www.multimedia.design.curtin.edu/cache/g/0007/

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