Inappropriate Games and the Effects It Can Have on Children

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Recommended: Adolescents in ways that technology could be harmful

Evan Ramsey stated, “I did not understand that if I… pull out a gun and shoot you, there’s a good chance you’re not getting back up. You shoot a guy in ‘Doom’ and he gets back up. You have got to shoot the things in ‘Doom’ eight or nine times before it dies” (Jaccarino 1). This is just one case of what violent games can do to a child. Evan Ramsey was only twelve when he brought a shotgun to his Alaskan high school, killing and injuring both faculty and students (Jaccarino 1). The Ramsey case took place in the 1990’s where the technology was not really what it is today. As technology advances, games are becoming more realistic. The games include behavior that a child, whose brain is developing, might try to emulate. Children, ages 3 – 16, should not be playing games that are unsuitable for their age group, because it influences them in a negative way. These games promote violence, inappropriate language, degradation of women, and make it difficult for some to see the difference between what is reality and what is a game; the games desensitize children.
Today’s games have become even more violent than they were years ago. The graphics include massive amounts of detail mirroring realistic situations. The games introduce children to real world weapons where the guns are highly detailed. In Call of Duty, the weapons that the players are allowed to use includes AK-12s, .44 Magnums, SA-805s, USRs and many more violent weapons. Along with the realistic weapons, the players in games get rewarded for each kill they make. In games like Call of Duty, the players get rewarded for headshots or one-hit kills. It gives children a sense of accomplishment for ending a life. This can psychologically affect the way a child looks at the world. Dr. P...

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...istic. Something needs to be done to prevent children from being affected by these inappropriate games. While children’s brains are developing, the games corrupt their mind with violence, inappropriate language, and inappropriate attitudes. If parents begin to control the games that their children play, it could be a start to helping prevent America’s future minds from being corrupted.

Works Cited

Jaccarino, Mike. "'Training Simulation:' Mass Killers Often Share Obsession with Violent Video Games." Fox News. FOX News Network, 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 09 Feb. 2014.
John, Laura St. "8 Ways Violent Games Are Bad for Your Kids." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Sept. 2013. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.
Infinity Ward. Call of Duty: Ghost. Activision, 2013. PlayStation 4.
McGraw, Phillip C. "Children and Violent Video Games." Dr. Phil.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.

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