An Interactive Violence

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Recommended: Is violence in a society affected by video games

From television shows to various movies, violence has been ingrained into everyday life. However, these violent media outlets have been all but interactive, until the age of video games. At first creation, video games seemed harmless, with the initial games being Pong and Pac-Man. However, as time passed the public called for the integration of their favorite past time, violence, Game developers responded in kind, and still to this day violence is essential element in some of the most popular games. Although the use of video games do claim some responsibility for the aggressive actions of children, these video games should not be banned for the promotion of violence as they are not the sole reason for the increased aggression.

With the worried minds of parents and politicians alike, research has been conducted to show that video games have a correlation to an increase in aggression in young children. A number of violent video games, namely the popular Call of Duty series, are shooters that closely simulate war and put the player in the position of a soldier. This would cause a desensitization of violence since players who often have not experienced war may believe that this is an actual depiction. This desensitization could be attributed to an increase in aggression because the player may be used to the killing of virtual human figures without regret. In real life, the very same player will also apply the lack of regret to actual human figures, which would make them more prone to violent solutions and increased aggression. According to an Army psychologist Lt. Colonel David Grossman, “There are three things you need in order to shoot and kill effectively and efficiently…a gun…a skill to hit a target with the gun…and the will to ...

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...or their children. Most violent video games come with a rating of “M” which is recommended for those seventeen years and older. Given this, parents should cease to purchase these games altogether if they believe that they are negatively affecting their child. Violence will forever be an integrated part in natural environment. Consequently, it is inevitable that violence will be a part of the world’s entertainment, in both passive and hostile terms.

Works Cited

Steinberg, Michele. “Programmed to Kill: Video Games, Drugs, and the ‘New Violence’.” 21st Century Science & Technology. Fall 2000: 16-22. SIRS Researcher. Web. 03 Feb 2011.

Sternheimer, Karen. "Do Video Games Kill?." Contexts Vol. 6, No. 1. Winter 2007: 13-17. SIRS Researcher. Web. 03 Feb 2011.

Unknown. "Zap California's Video Game Law." USA TODAY. 29 Oct 2010: A.6. SIRS Researcher. Web. 03 Feb 2011.

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