By EDWIN MARTINEZ-LOPEZ
English 9 Honors, Block B; Lancaster High School
Teacher: C. Hulgan
What makes children and adults violent? An easy solution to that question is violent video games.
First-person shooters, blood and guts, and strong language can all add up in violent games, making teenagers more aggressive.
Most of the times, children have these games because of failure of the parent to pay attention and please their children. Parents may be unaware of the violence in the games.
“Studies have highlighted the increase in disregard for video game content ratings, as shown by Dr. David Walsh, who published in 2000 that 90% of teenagers claim that their parents ‘never’ check the ratings before allowing them to rent or buy video games. With this rejection of independent reviews on video games, questions regarding where the blame lies, and what this exposure means for gamers who play above their age bracket are becoming more and more frequent.” (Egan, Video Games Content Rating: Does Anyone Care? http://the-artifice.com/film)
People can say they don’t get affected by such violent games – but when they’re at home, that’s another world. Due to a lot of peer pressure, some kids may be encouraged to play violent video games. They just want to be cool, but that will affect their life.
Any person can get affected by this. So it is smart to stay at age-level games. Once players are old enough, it’s their choice to play violent games – just know that the consequences of these games can be violent behavior. The most important job for parents is to check the games first before purchasing.
In some cases, violent games can affect a person’s behavior; not all cases though. It is possible that nonviolent games can make a person more aggressive, as well. When they get too attached and get too grounded, it can force them to throw tantrums and/or hurt others.
Ultimately, we need to show children that there is more stuff to do than video games.
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This article is part of Youth Speak Out, a new section in The AV Times featuring editorials by participating Lancaster High School students. Read more about this initiative here.
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Ian Nicholls says
This again?
Let’s put some perspective on this: if playing violent video games regularly leads to violence, then reading the Bible regularly leads to child-molesting.
You see, priests that molest little kids read the Bible DAILY!
So if you plan on using the “logic” of blaming video games on violence, you can ONLY be a self-deluding hypocrite if you don’t follow that same “logic” to its natural conclusion.
Unless you can cite specific examples of molester-priests who DON’T read the Bible, now would be a good time to revisit your values and reconsider listening to fear-based, media-driven twaddle that was only published because nothing important has blown up, burned down, died, or been born.
Laura Trojan says
Edwin, you have presented a well-reasoned and articulate argument. The ability to think critically will be of tremendous benefit throughout your life, and I admire your willingness to express your opinion in a public forum.
It’s much easier to join a conversation than to initiate one, as evidenced by all the comments your article generated, and I would like to acknowledge your willingness to open a dialogue. Today, video games… tomorrow, world peace? :)
Keep up the good work!
Mars says
I also disagree. As a parent of kids who are Gamers I have to say sit down shadow your child while playing video games and ask them questions. You will be surprised by there answers of course each child is different. I agree with some of you who responded that the games do get the brain working. It also helps kids work through situations and lets be real about this example Bullying. The games help kids let out frustrations they deal with everyday and sometimes bullying is one. I understand the age limits on video games and on tv shows but be real if a child turns 18 and is shipped off to WAR what are they trained in if there not allowed to know what happens in life..What about the child that is biracial and theres Race fights or gang fights at school or the child that is gay, Lesbian, transgender, or the kid that wears thick glasses or a kid that has ADD ADHD Autism Bipolar PTSD Schizophrenic..Do we put a bubble around our kids..Is this a Black or White World..There are rules I agree but it is an opinion that video games cause problems..Hey were we scared when we snuck behind our parents backs to watch TV shows we weren’t suppose to watch or when we snuck out to go to a party..took our first drink..first smoke..first kiss..first of anything we new was bad because it was told to us..How did we get past it..Its a learning process ..No ones perfect..But we all did something we weren’t suppose to and we learned..Video Games another teaching tool just like the internet the Cell phone the Wii the Atari the Nintendo PS3 P$3 PS2 gamecube nintendo 64 Xbox s handheld games tennis anyone tablet the Computer the dictionary ohh that has some words A book What about The Bible.. All learning tools If we didnt do something we weren’t suppose to How did we advance to what and who we are today..so what do you think or What are you not suppose to do
Mars says
I agree to disagree cause the learning process starts when we are born..
Ian Nicholls says
I have been playing video games pretty much since they came out in the 1970s, and still do. One way or another, I have about 43 years of playing video games, from Pong through to Counter-Strike and beyond. Many many thousands of hours (some I was even paid for! ).
Funnily enough, I’ve still not managed to kill any hookers, blow up any aircraft, slaughter school-children, steal any sports cars, or knife any innocent bystanders.
I have, however, worn a uniform, raised some pretty good kids, run a successful business, and travelled a good part of the world.
Maybe that was because my parents raised me to be a decent human being or maybe it’s because I haven’t played enough yet. I dunno.
Tim Scott says
Humans didn’t become the top predator on this planet because it is our nature to be nice…and we got there long before there were violent video games.
Mars says
SO TRUE
J says
Edwin,
I appreciate you putting yourself out there publicly. I know it can be hard to face criticism and I applaud you for expressing your opinion.
As someone who plays, and loves, video games I disagree. Violence in our society is more likely the result of poor emotional control alongside many other social factors. Video games offer release and distraction – but also present the mind with puzzles and difficult situations. They can be amazing storytellers or teachers. Not all games fall into the category of “productive” but many do.
Mr. Mister says
Although this article is well written, I disagree with this viewpoint. Every industrialized country has access to the same media (videogames, movies, etc.) that we Americans do. Take a look at Japan, they have some of the most violent videogames/movies that aren’t even allowed in the United States due to their content. It’s more on the parenting and so-called healthcare professionals that blow through their Rx pads to hook the youth on the latest and greatest meds. Overprescribing meds, blended with nothing but violent entertainment may be the answer to the problem. There’s more research to support that the former rather than the latter causes eratic behavior. Limit your children’s screen time and filter the content. At then end of the day, parental guidance is on the label of what your purchasing. Effectively communicating will solve most problems. Anywho, great opinion piece. Keep on writing young fellow.
David says
Yes.. we all know the debate about whether violent content in games and films contributes to violence behavior. There is evidence on both sides. We know this because we are adults. Did you expect a 9th grader to put forward a fully-researched masters-quality paper in this forum? I commend the student for a well written, well meaning opinion.
Will says
“What makes children and adults violent? An easy solution to that question is violent video games.”
An easy solution does not equate to the right one.
The opinion of this article is literally supported by a single source. How can any teacher say this argument was well researched?
Hersey says
Yes I do agree that video games are not good for children, although it depends on the age of the child and and the video games and the individual child they are and there behavior. Just like my kids I have two beautiful ones and the cartoon family guy I use to let them watch that, but to make a long story short, they’ll go outside and do the nasty things on family guy,know other kids went and told there mom’s and I got them taking. And the sad thing about that we where in a motel and they didn’t have any cartoon network.
Eric says
Video games, just like TV, maintain a rating system. NC17 means your kid should not be watching that show, similarly, an M on the video game box means they shouldn’t be playing.
DEDO Gonzalez says
Nope. Thats like saying the forced Draft of WWI,WWII, Vietnam made millions of men into
the worst most vial human beings.
Mind you that was real life too.
American Culture was built on genocide and conquest…..so whats the suprise that little jimmy is so violent. Its the American Way.
Every kid wants to be a US Senator and declare war against foreign powers. Those are our role models. not some fake video game. That in less than a year will be uncool.
John says
Really? Only American Culture was built on genocide and conquest?
You know nothing of world history to make a comment like that.
There have been genocide and conquest on every continent on Earth since before gunpowder was invented.
BigBird says
Facts are that since USA declared peace in 1783, we as a people have only experienced 21 years of “peace” to date. Conflict & war is our collective history.
I also do notice when I play a violent video game that I am more aggressive when I drive. Might explain the commute on the 14 everyday.
William says
@BigBird
Ever notice that car commercials are more like action movies with cars doing ‘stunts’. The buyers of those cars are likely to drive like that as well thinking they’re on the autobahn.
You never see a car commercial doing anything like real life driving on a crowded freeway or stop and go traffic. (the 14) It’s always a lonely 2 lane road or salt flats and other nonsense.
Eric says
No. The problem is failure to communicate the difference to the child between real life and video game. Any half cognizant person can recognize the difference. It is an easy out though, for those whose “perfect angel” suddenly lashes out.