We have come a long way from Atari and Nintendo…In the attached article “Video Games: A Cause of Violence and Aggression” , the author discusses the connection of possible violence and transgression of young people and adults with the new video games and graphics that are so realistic. Many of the video games are not only geared for children, but are also targeted to the adult poplulation as well. There are warning labels for all ages: “Real-life violence” and “Not appropriate for children 12 and younger”.
However, there are many children that come home after school with no adult supervision because both parents need to work. Also many children go to their friends’ homes after school or day care provider where the family rules on playing video games may be different from their own. I’m not saying that all children who play video games become addicted and may become violent or angry. Many children can separate themselves from video to reality. Most children that play xbox or other game devices are involved in school, on the honor roll, they play sports, and they remain active.
There are however, children who may be loners, may not have many friends, may be bullied at school, may not have the support of a parent or adult–Maybe they need to find a way to ‘escape from reality’. They may feel their only way of feeling ’in control’ is by playing video games where there is violence. It’s a place they can vent their anger or frustration.
This article addresses the two boys from Columbine who claimed the lives of fellow students before taking their own lives. Although they say no one really knows why the boys did such a horrific act, it was known that these boys were obsessed with the video game ‘Doom’. They had customized their video game to only have two shooters, and also to have enough ammunition –so that their victims could not fight back. A year later, these two boys dressed in trenchcoats and carried out their fantasy into the real world and did an unthinkable act.
I think it’s such a fine line as their are violent television programs, there is ‘reality’ television–which in most cases–is ’not real’, but children have access to hundreds of channels. The television can be a babysitter to many kids whose parents just don’t have the time to spend with them, and unless channels are screened or blocked, the children have the remote with all kinds of shows–They see and watch violence all the time–it’s in the daily news, the war in Iraq. It’s in their neighborhoods. This article also states, however, that violent video games are more harmful than movies or t.v. programs they watch because of the interactive and engrossing nature.
Game graphics have improved with age and technology. I think some of these games are extremely disturbing, but I also know that many adults and children play them and enjoy them, and it will NOT have any negative impact on them. I also believe that we, as parents need to have better control on what our children watch. I think we need to monitor the kinds of games they are playing–and I think no one knows more than a parent if their child is well-rounded, confident, and interacts well with people . I think a parent knows what games are appropriate and/or age-appropriate for them to play.
However, for those parents who may have a child that is insecure, lashes out easily, may be angered or depressed , or maybe the family unit is broken or maybe their child has been bullied, or maybe you don’t want to admit it, but they are the bully. Try and keep communication lines open. Keep an eye on games and limit the times your child plays them. Watch and tune into the friends they hang out with. Shut the t.v. off and spend quality time with your child. Talk with them and be open with them. Find suitable age-appropriate games that they find fun and entertaining and find ones that you can play together.
As a wise old man once said to me, ”Everything in moderation”. I think that’s true with everything we do…
