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impact of video games on children
implication of violent video gaming on children and teenagers
video games cause youth violence
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“It is clear that the causal relationship between televised violence and antisocial behavior is sufficient to warrant appropriate and immediate remedial action… There comes a time when the data are sufficient to justify action. That time has come” (Berkowitz, Leonard). Approximately forty-two years ago, Surgeon General published a warning against violence in the media. While violence in television is still a big problem today, a new and worse problem has arisen: video game violence. Unlike in television, people are able to interact through the video games as if they were the ones hurting and/or killing the victims. This is a huge concern for society because youth are being taught that violence is accepted in this day and age. Although …show more content…
During youth many teens feel as if they are alone. When they play a video game, they identify with the characters in the video game and learn and retain the aggressive thoughts and behaviors that they see (Norcia, Andrea). Maintaing these thoughts and behaviors, also leads to future violence. By allowing juveniles to play in a simulated environment as if they are the ones causing harm, the video game intensifies their aggressive proclivity. These effects have been seen all across the nation. Recently, an 8-year-old boy living in Louisiana shot an elderly woman in the head after playing “Grand Theft Auto IV”, a Rated-M video game (Mosbergen, Dominique). This particular video game has been known to create violent inclinations due to the fact that it is all about killing people and stealing things. It was also noted that in the game, people are shot in the head, much like the little boy did to the elderly lady, unlike in real life, such as in the army, where they teach to aim for the chest instead. This incident was appalling, but sadly, not the only one to occur. A more famous occurrence was that of Sandy Hook Elementary in New Haven, Connecticut. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old man, took the life of himself, his mother, 20 children, and 6 faculty members at the 2012 shooting of Sandy Hook Elementary. During an investigation, it was noted that Mr. Lanza was rarely seen due to the fact that he spent much time in his basement playing violent warfare video games, such as “Call of Duty”(Kleinfield, N. R.). There is an obvious correlation here between the violent video games and the actions which they produce. While it is unknown if his obsession with violent video games was the cause of Mr. Lanza’s motives, it is known to have been a big influence on him. Violent inclinations in youth are shown to correlate with violent habits in youth that lead to despicable
In the book “Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy,” the authors relay the general information concerning the history of violence in video games as well as the beginning of the issue of violence in video games (Anderson, Gentile, and Buckley 2007). They state that it was “during the 1990s that violent games truly
The allegation that videogames cause violent behavior in children has been present as long as videogames themselves. Some researchers said that the Sandy Hook shooter, Adam Lanza, was one intense gamer. “Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech Shooter was seen by his roomates as odd because he never joined them in video games.”(Beresin) This debate will continue to go on in this country as long as there are horrific crimes that occur. There is much written in the research regarding this issue, and many differing views. The research that is presented in the next few paragraphs supports the theory that it is not the graphic video games that produce aggressive behavior, but other factors in a child’s life that create violent actions.
Emmons, Sasha. "Is Media Violence Damaging to Kids?" CNN. Cable News Network, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013.
Layton, Julia. "Do Violent Video Games Lead to Real Violence?" HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks, Inc., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2013.
Many people believe violence in video games result in violent outbreaks and unhealthy behavior in real world. Since the first Nineteen Eighties, violence in video games became a part of a political issue leading advocates to create theories that these styles of games are corrupting society. Studies have been created to seek out if there's a link between violent video games and violent behavior. Are these video games shaping today’s generation of youths to be violent? I believe that there's no correlation between violence in video games and violence in our society. I think this first of all, improves a large form of general skills, secondly, there are several alternative factors that contribute into creating society violent and finally, crime rates decrease because the quality of those forms of games increase.
One article points out that video games have a big impact on children’s lives and that many of the games played are violent. Researchers have found that “nearly all children spend time playing video games” and studies have found that “8th graders spent an average of 17 hours per week playing video games” (Tamborini 336). Moreover, 68% of the most popular video games contain violence (Tamborini 336). So it is clear that many children have access to violent video games and they have a big impact on their lives simply because of the amount of time spent playing them.
Although violent video games are thought to encourage real world violence, they actually help to prevent it. I am focusing on violent video games and how they affect juveniles because I feel that this issue needs to be looked at in the criminal justice community. It is an unnecessary distraction to blame the actions of a disturbed youth on a form of entertainment that has been used by millions of people without incident. A review article published in The Psychiatric Quarterly found that many studies which claim to indicate an increase in aggression due to video games are, in fact, biased! Once the bias is taken into account, the studies no longer find any correlation between youths who play violent video games and youths who demonstate aggression and violent behavior. (Ferguson, 2014)
At this day in age we bask in the luxury of having easy access to advanced technology at our disposal. From the World Wide Web, to cell phones, music, movies and video games the human race has thought of any and everything to keep us entertained. Over the years studies have shown reasonable concerns regarding the long-term effects of video games. These games can desensitize gamers to real life violence, which is usually seen in the younger crowd. The studies especially hit on the games containing player-on-player violence. Though these games are extremely entertaining and can get kids to settle down for a while, if not properly supervised, they can produce adverse effects. Other studies have shown that video games can be used as way to yield positive outcomes such as, good problem solving skills, cooperation in a group and the ability to flow. Although there has been psychological research on children learning through the actions of others some believe that children are automatically able to distinguish between what is just a game and what is reality. The longer they are allowed on their game system the more they become convinced that their games are real. Some researchers believe violent video games can channel the aggression of the child but the parents are to blame for what happens to the child after playing an excessive amount over a period of time. Children can become preoccupied with these violent video games which have been proven to be the cause of poor social skills, uncontrollable aggression and a false reality.
Over the past 30 years, playing video games has become one of the most popular hobbies worldwide. Not only has the video game industry become a multi-billion dollar industry, but it has attracted people from all age types. While video games today are played by both kids and adults, there are many issues being raised regarding the effects of video games. More particular, is the effect that violent video games may be having on children. Some critics argue that video games are direct indicators of child aggression while video game supporters argue that there is no direct link between child aggression and violent video games. While many people have their own personal stances, this issue is unique because it is unfolding everyday. Scientists and researchers all over the world are continuously doing research regarding the effects of video games on children. Even though this remains a field of uncertainty for researchers, parents should definitely be involved in being aware of what it is that they’re children are playing when they play video games.
“As video games have become more violent and more sophisticated and the sales of video games has skyrocketed in the last few decades, youth violence has plummeted,” Ferguson says, citing evidence compiled by various federal agencies (Adams 3). Violence in video games is not a new issue. It has been debated and argued since the release of the first violent video game. As time has progressed, so has the evolution of violence and strong language within video games. Ratings have become more relaxed, and the lines between T (Teen) and M (Mature) rated games has gotten closer together. Violent games are becoming the normal and accepted of all games, and are being demanded by the gaming industry more heavily. Parents have always shied away from these games for their children, regardless of age. However, kids are getting these games whether they are the correct age (17+) or not. Young kids, less than ten years of age are playing horribly violent games and parents are fearing the repercussions. But video games are not to be blamed for child violence. Violence in video games does not cause children to become violent people later on in life.
...nd David A. Walsh. “The Effects of Violent Video Game Habits on Adolescents Hostility, Aggressive Behavior, and School Performance.” Journal of Adolescents 27 (2004) 5-22. Web.
Controversies about violent video games raise eyebrows about whether the content of some video games change the behavior and attitudes of children and young adults. Many argue that video games are harmful to youth, prompting an effort to subject video games to government oversight and restrictions. However, violent video games come with many proven benefits including social skills with fellow players as well as being a major entertainment and pick-me-up factors in many teenagers ' lives. Results of multiple scientific studies attempt to link video games to violence and aggression, but at the same time the positive benefits were also very apparent. I believe that youth don 't becoming increasingly violent as a result of playing video games and
Continued exposure to violent video games has desensitized youngsters to the consequences of violence. Does video game violence play an enormous role in everyday life of teenagers? The answer is yes. In my opinion, any form of violence from video games has the potential of m...
A survey of 1,102 adolescents found that 97 percent had played video games in the past day. Although most parents checked the censor’s rating before consenting their child to obtaining it, 50 percent of boys and 14 percent of girls favored games with an "M" (mature) or "AO" (adult-only) rating, which suggests a high degree of violence. Social scientists believed that children are more probable to mimic the actions of a character with whom they identify. In violent video games, players participate as a character, and even choose which weapons they’ll use while fighting other characters. Similarly, repetition increases learning. Video games involve a great deal of repetition. If the games are violent, then the effect is a behavioral preparation for violent activity. Violence in society is not solely caused by violent media. But research shows that continuous exposure to violent media causes people to believe that violence can be an acceptable, positive way to solve problems.
“90% of pediatricians and 67% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that violent video games can increase aggressive behavior among children” ("Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence?”). Pediatrics and parents are aware that kids that play violent video games see a change in their behavior. Many cases they see the kids with anger problems and causing them to do violent acts. Violent video games have been around for many years where some older titles, such as ‘Mortal Kombat’ and 'Grand Theft Auto’ both are some of the most controversial ones. The video game industry has been growing and with the large amounts of violent video games being produced. “Total US sales of video game hardware and software increased 204% from 1994 to