Next, children are limited to the kinds of games that they ...

 Video games are often associated with violence in today’s youth. But is this extremely interactive form of entertainment as influential as some people have come to believe? Video games such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike, Grand Theft Auto, and Battlefield are often the scapegoats that reporters and authors use to give a reason for gun violence with today’s youth. Many of these are played for entertainment value, but some say that it is used for dark purposes. Video games can be used for violent purposes; however, many of these games are used to relax or to vent out frustration or anger. Despite what some people may think, video games are not linked to the violence that is so prevalent in today’s youth.To begin, video games create enjoyment in children and give them something to talk about within their social circles. People who play violent video games play them to have fun and relax. For example, the author of Source B states, “A 2007 study reports that… 62% (of boys) played (violent video games) because it ‘helps me relax.”(“Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence?” 1) This is evidence because those who play video games do not play it to cause harm, but to have fun. They talk about their experiences at school and share advice with their peers. Video games have had no negative effect on them. These boys have large amounts of fun playing these games, and violence has not influenced their real-world actions. Also, the author of Source A says, “Playing video games can actually provide benefits to children, helping them bond with their peers…”(“Should the government pass laws restricting children's access to violent video games?” 1) This shows that children who play video games do it to have something to discuss at school. Their interests and passions for some are gateways to enjoyment and social fulfillment. These people are more socially comfortable and quickly find happiness and a place within their social circles.If children play games, then no real-world consequences occur as a result. Next, children are limited to the kinds of games that they can get their hands on. The esrb system limits the kinds of games that are distributed to children. According to Source A, “M rated games must be bought by someone over the age of 17 or older and that person has to have some form of identification as proof.”(“Should the government pass laws restricting children's access to violent video games?” 1) This shows that children must have the consent of their parents in order to get a M rated game, which is normally associated with large amounts of violence. Most parents review the game that the child wants, and it is up to them to determine whether or not their child is ready. In most cases it is no, and in this way children are limited in what they can get. By limiting games that children can get, parents can regulate the content that their child is exposed to, preventing any negative influence. Parents also have the option to limit the kinds of games that children get. Also, the author of Source C states that, “Parents have a choice to allow their children to play video games that contain gratuitous amounts of violence, and most say no.”(“Video games are not making us more violent, study shows” 1) This proves that parents are in full control of the content that is exposed to their children, and they prefer to keep their children “untainted” by violence in video games. If children play games, then no real-world consequences occur as a result of it, and the select few games that can influence children are not played by them as a result of their parents. In addition, video games give children a way to vent out anger and frustration with no real-world consequences. Many children look towards games as a way to escape reality, a way to express their emotions without doing any harm to person nor property. According to the author of Source B, “A 2007 study reported that 45% of boys played video games because ‘it helps me get my anger out..."(“Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence?” 1) This shows that these boys are only playing games to get rid of anger, not to get ready for real-world violence, as some may suggest, or to get into a violent mindset to prepare for said actions. These games act as a substitute for rough-and-tumble play, with the player getting enjoyment and peer status without causing physical harm. In addition, a poll conducted by market research firm YouGov concludes that “...71% of people believe that video games can be a useful outlet for frustrations and aggression.” (“Should the government pass laws restricting children's access to violent video games?” 1) Because so many people play video games to get rid of anger and to eliminate frustrations without causing real-world harm, the world is generally a safer place due to the fact that less people are going out of their homes to get into a fight to blow off some steam. Also, people play these games in order to prevent themselves from losing control and lashing out at their peers or families. If children play games, then no real-world consequences occur as a result of it, preventing them from attacking their peers. On the other hand, video games have been shown in some circumstances to increase violence in children. Most games, once an enemy is killed, it disappears from the screen. The author of Source B says, “Violent video games desensitize players to real-life violence. It is common for victims in video games to disappear off screen when they are killed or for players to have multiple lives.”(“Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence?” 1) This shows that children who play these games can come to believe that this happens in real life and killing is no big deal because everyone has multiple lives. This is an extreme case, but video games can sometimes have the power to have someone believe that suicide is nothing because the characters onscreen just reappear later when they die. This can make children appear unaffected by extremely dark topics in today’s world and they may even try it out for themselves just to see what it is like, unaware that in the real world, everyone only has one life. Even though there are special cases, video games do not increase gun violence in children, and violence in general because video games create enjoyment in children and give them status in their social circles, of the ways they are limited to the games that they can get, and the outlet for anger and frustration that video games present. Video games provide so many benefits and are the passions of many people worldwide, it doesn’t deserve the blame that reporters put on it because they can think of no other explanation. No matter how influential video games are, they are here to stay and many people are glad for it. ................
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