argument paper

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Recommended: Violent games contribute to youth violence

There always need to be someone or something to blame. Unfortunately, sometimes the blame is attached to the wrong place. After many tragic events including teen violence, a nation-wide quest for an explanation started. Very quickly, people assumed that video games were the reason. All of the shooters in the Columbine High School massacre and the shooting at the movie theater in Colorado played violent video games (Carey, 1).All suspects were under twenty-five years of age. The public response was immediate. Hillary Clinton introduced a bill, trying to ban the marketing of violent video games to minors, making it illegal for minors to purchase games that are rated “Mature” or “Adults Only”. Most people think that these games caused the rampage these men went on, but there is a side to video games that the public does not know. What parents and people like Hillary Clinton need to do is understand the statistics behind these games before making the judgment of banning these violent games. The link between video games and mass shootings and violence in general is in reality incredibly insignificant. The effect of video games on encouraging teen violence is almost nonexistent, and contrary to popular belief, has had a positive effect on most young adults. While the overall general public still feels that violent video games only have a negative effect on minors, more and more statistical evidence are being found against that assumption. With new research clearly showing the positive sides of video games, it’s clear these games should never be restricted or banned.
One major reason supporting the positive effect of video games is the actual number of violent youths in America, which is decreasing. Maybe it is true that there are mass...

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...hile video game sales have quadrupled in the same period” (ProCon.org, 3).
There has been widespread debate over the effects of media violence on actual behavior, especially concerning violent video games. Fortunately, new data has showed that these games significantly decrease the amount of violence in teens across America, despite record sales of video games. Other studies clearly show how video games increased visual and literary skills, as well as improved problem solving. The public needs to know this, and Hillary Clinton needs to know this. There aren’t enough legitimate reasons that can overturn all the positive aspects of these games. Whether it is on the argument that video games decrease crime, or that banning them violates constitutional rights, all of these factors contribute to the final message: Video games should not be banned in the United States.

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