Cons
It is well known that certain computer and video games contain violence. The discussion of computer game violence is on the hot seat more often these days as concerns are being raised about games becoming more and more violent and realistic. Games have become so realistic that some games are almost like watching a movie. Parents and other adults are usually the ones raising the concerns, as they are concerned about the affects that playing the games will have on their children and other youths. New technologies have given computer games a life-like feel. It all started out with a couple of paddles and a ball and now the choices are limitless as to what object the gamer can use. The objects that are controversial are items like guns, knives, bombs and other weapons of death. Exposing youths to weapons like these is dangerous as it is sending the wrong message that violence and murder are acceptable. Studies on computer and video game violence are being conducted more often, as researches feel the need to understand why people enjoy playing these types of games. Researchers have begun to link violent games to aggressive and violent behavior. Children and youths are very susceptible to influence, and violence is not something that children should judge as fun. No parent wants their child to be overly aggressive as it can lead to trouble and possibly send them down the wrong path. Some people actually believe that such incidents as the Columbine and Kentucky school shootings occurred because the parties involved were players of violent games that involved murder and other gore. Not just games were blamed, also music from Marilyn Manson, which expressed violence and death, were part of the argument. The fact is that violence can rub off no matter what form of violence that youths are exposed to. 90 % of United States households with children have either rented or owned a video or computer game, and young people spend an average of 20 minutes a day playing such games. Video and computer games fall second on the popularity list, right after television. A 1998 survey revealed that 80 % of the computer games preferred by young people contain violent or aggressive content. If children are not allowed to go out and watch a restricted movie under penalty of law, then how is it possible that they can play a game that is more violent and gory than the movie? The government does not want youths exposed to material in restricted movies because of the damage that they can have psychologically. So why have they not realized that computer games can have the same effect? The games are equally dangerous as violent movies and television, and should have the same type of restrictions. Violent computer games can be dangerous to the minds of the young. This was realized, and restrictions are slowly starting to place in the computer game world. There are now ratings on most store bought games these days. The problem with this is that a lot of the games played over the computer are easily downloaded over the Internet. Violence is available at the click of a button from your own home. It is wrong that a five year old is able to play a game that gives you points for slaughtering people. More needs to be done to protect the minds of the children. Although not all children are affected, if one child’s views of life become twisted, it could cause problems in the real world. References. Mediascope Press.Video “Game Violence.” Issue Briefs. Studio City, California.1999. www.mediascope.org Young Media Australia“Computer Game Violence.” Sept 2003. www.youngmedia.org. Suzanne Choi. ”Computer Games and Violence.” University of Calgary. www.ucalgary.ca.