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Effects of video games on children and teenagers
Argumentative essays negative effects of violent video games both adults and kids
Effect of violent video games on kids
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Is it a game or is it reality?
Video games have been around for a long time and have become exceedingly popular, especially the violent, explicit, and gory ones. Some of these violent games have had a negative impact on children, such as acting more aggressive or bullying others and having behavioral problems at home. The problem today with violent video games is that many people blame them for influencing children and teens to think that it is natural to be violent and aggressive towards others. Parents should not allow their children to play violent video games because they are not only disregarding the age restriction but they are also exposing their children into thinking that this type of behavior is acceptable. Every video game has a rating on it for a reason and that is to let the parents know what kind of game they are getting for their children, whether it is rated E for everyone or rated M for mature. Parents should know that if they buy an M-rated violent video game for their child, they should not be surprised when their child’s behavior and attitude goes sour. However, there are many studies about violent video games being both the cause of crimes and the cause of skill development.
Problems such as school shootings, violence, and changes in behavior have been occurring sometime during or after 1994 when the first violent video game was released. This game was called Mortal Kombat where two players fight to the death and to finish off the defeated player, his opponent either decapitated him or had some other gory ending. Robert Keeshan, television producer and host of NYC’s “Time for Fun,” states that video games are not harmless toys and can cause great emotional and other damage to a child. This is a reason why par...
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... they are also exposing their children into thinking that this type of behavior is acceptable when it is not. The violence in video games makes children and young teens aggressive and they become desensitized to violence. Games that depict killing, dismembering, maiming, or sexually assaulting a human being are too explicit for these young minds and they should not be exposed to that. A lot of school shootings caused by teens and most of them were because of them playing violent video games and learning from them. There are many statistics and studies that video games really are. Behaviors and attitudes have also changed in the ones who play certain violent video games. this is why parents need to know what their children are playing and not let them do whatever it is they want to do because if that happens then their children could possibly start acting different.
...r easily purchase them without serious consideration for their youths wellbeing and evaluate for themselves if any videogames including violent ones, are beneficial for their children. Take for example “the case of the eight-year-old boy in Slaughter, Louisiana, who over the summer picked up a gun and killed his elderly caregiver after playing Grand Theft Auto IV”. At first glance it seems like the videogame might be the catalyst here, but upon closer inspection we can see that the big issue here is that there was the eight year old child had both unmonitored access to violent media that is intended for ages 17 and up, and unmonitored access to a loaded weapon. Adequate parenting in spite of the lack of supported scientific research being applied to this situation would have more than likely resulted in the survival of the elderly caregiver of the young boy.
Now a day every video game has something violent going on. Such as in 2010 the top 20 games out in the market were violent related. When a kid sees in a video game that he can beat someone else up and get away with it they think they can do that in real life. This will increase bullying and kids are being taught not to bully. Every kid plays video games even if it’s a racing game or a shooting game. In 2008, 97% of kids from the age of 12-17 played video games. Most M rated games have sexual violence and when a kid sees that in a game and then beats the girl up. The crime rate for rape will increase as it has. A study in 2009 found that it only takes a child four minutes of playing a game to make him have aggressive and violent thoughts going through his head. The critics of violent video game has that bully has increase 32% because of violent video games. Also in the study when a child sees blood when beating up or killing someone in a game he will have more aggressive thoughts than normal.
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.
Since the 1970 video games have become more popular than ever before. Generating 11.7 billions of dollars of sells every year or more, the video game industry is considered one of the largest industries in this century. However, video games have been a topic of controversy. With the sales of violent video games going up and the increased violence in schools and teenagers, video games are always to blame. Many people speculate that video games are the cause on why many teenagers have developed aggressive and violent behavior, are desensitize to violence, and the increase violence in schools and public places. In contradiction, video games have little or no fault in teenagers’ violent behavior and shouldn’t always be blamed.
Desensitization from video games creates a biological response that leads to a lack of empathy and more aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, violence in video games is rewarded, making one more likely to repeat the behavior in real life. Finally, video games allow people to take on roles, and along with one’s inability to separate reality from fantasy, people will take on these roles in real life, leading to many of the recent mass shootings. The debate on video games and violence will carry major significance over these coming years. Although violent video games will not necessarily be banned, there might be moves to educate parents about the dangers of violent video games so that their children can be monitored in the games they choose. However, the debate will not be completely solved. Video games are a multimillion dollar industry and the companies may pay psychologists to agree with their sentiments, prolonging the debate. Although video games are some of the most popular items in the world to own, one must take caution in purchasing them, especially violent
A main factor in violence in the media is through video games. Many game companies make their game as "real" as possible. Teenagers no longer want two dimensional games; they want games that depict adult situations. Such as to pick up hookers (Grand Theft Auto: Vice City), gain access to a government information by killing guards (Metal Gear Solid), invade an innocent village with tanks (Command and Conquer: Red Alert) or kill your best friend with a chainsaw (Doom). The media is more concerned with selling a product than what a product actually does. When pre-teens and teens buy these games or shall I say when the parents buy these games for the children they are well aware of what the games are about and what type of violence are shown in the game. The games that show extreme violence also have parental ratings so the parent knows what the possibilities are when these games are purchased. I know these parents do not want their child to do any violent acts so what is the purpose of buying these games. The purpose is to keep peace and be considered a good parent.
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.
Video games are one of the most improved technologies of the past twenty years. Characters have advanced from 8-bit cartoons to being lifelike. Some people think these games are becoming too realistic for young children. With more violent video games being produced, and more children becoming interested in these games instead of family friendly games, there are a growing number of people who believe that kids will grow up to be more aggressive, and that violent video games should be abolished. However, parents play the biggest role in their child’s life, and have the responsibility to buy games they think are appropriate and discipline bad behavior.
Violent video games are becoming more popular among children and adolescents of all ages since its debut approximately 30 years ago. This growing popularity is generating an increasing concern that these sometimes very graphic videos and life like characters can have a negative influence on the younger generation. Although never proven, there has been speculation that some of the high school shootings across the country were committed by students who were habitual players of violent video games. Due to these concerns, a non-profit, self-regulatory organization was established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to appropriately rate all video games from EC (early childhood), E (everyone), E10+ (everyone 10 and over), T (teen), M (mature), and AO (adults only). While assessing the efficacy of violent video game ratings, it is unknown how effective these ratings are for the intended audience (Becker-Olsen & Norberg, 2010).
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.
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.
“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.
Parents should not allow their children to play violent video games because they are at risk of becoming desensitized. Parents often let their kids play violent video games so parents do not have to watch over their kids. Why shouldn’t parents let their kids play violent video games? Parents should not let their kids play violent video games because they will be influenced to make the decision to hurt other people. According to Dr. Phil (renowned psychologist), kids don’t think they are actually killing people, usually when they are shooting someone in the game, they are getting bonus points. Kids are also becoming desensitized by all of the violence. Parents, I just want you to know that, if you are allowing your kids to play these horrific games, then you need to keep a close eye on your kids as they grow up, because you never know if they are going to grow up with such barbaric behavior and then apply it to another human being. Obviously, I do not appreciate the fact that parents allow their kids to play violent video games at such a young age. It is undeniable that your kids are might grow up to be serial killers or homicidal
middle of paper ... ... Educate your child about violence and video games Set time limits on gaming Encourage your child to do other things besides playing video games. REFERENCES Lieberman, Joe (1997) "Video Game Report Card, 1997" http://www.senate.gov/member/ct/lieberman/releases/r112597a.html. Cesarone, Bernard "Video Games and Children" http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/video.games.html Zarozinski, Michael "Video Game Violence 2001" http://www.louderthanabomb.com/vg_voilence.htm "Fact Sheets: Effects of Video Game Play on Children" http://www.mediafamily.org/research/fact/effect.shtml Children Now "Children and the Media 2001" http://www.childrennow.org/media/video-games/2001/#violence The "Violence in Video Games" http://www.gamezero.com/team-0/articles/features/violence_92/ The "Video Game Violence" http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/vgv.htm Walsh, David A. Video Game Violence: What Does the Research Say? 1998.
“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