Video Games and Violence

[Dragon Master Mike]

Do you believe that violent video games can lead to violent behavior in children/teens?

Personally, I think not. So many kids and teens play violent video games, and when you look at them, how many of them do you think could go through with something like these school shootings? Statistically, how many do you think actually do? I just don't think there is enough evidence that you can point towards violent video games.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

I think violent video games and movies and TV shows and that sort of thing can contribute a bit. They desensitise people to violence and perhaps if that happens young enough, it could change how a child thinks. A regular healthy kid isn't going to go shooting people in real life just because they play video games, but if someone is already unbalanced in some way, then desensitising them to violence may be enough to cause them to actually go out there and hurt people.

[The-Hydra]

I think not. We had murder and violence and genocide before TV and video games. We're humans, it's what we do best. We don't need media to encourage us.

[Corey]

I pretty much agree with Sarah! I think it could also give the unstable person ideas. I have a sword and I love practicing moves from one of my favorite video games. The only difference between me and a murderer is that I don't practice them on living things! I do not think video game violence can solely turn a perfectly stable person to murder, however. If there is scientific research that says it does, then I'd side with that, but I don't think there is. :x

[Suicune's Fire]

I think violent video games and movies and TV shows and that sort of thing can contribute a bit. They desensitise people to violence and perhaps if that happens young enough, it could change how a child thinks. A regular healthy kid isn't going to go shooting people in real life just because they play video games, but if someone is already unbalanced in some way, then desensitising them to violence may be enough to cause them to actually go out there and hurt people.

That's just it, though; that means that violence in media is only a springboard, and not a cause. It might give people ideas who are already going to do something and only need a trigger. Then again, it's not like that would happen often anyway. I would also agree that it could change how a child thinks, but anything can change how a child thinks. If you teach a child something from a young age, even if you have no images to show them, no games to let them play or movies to sit them in front of, they're gonna adapt that mentality. So what you're saying could apply to any medium. In saying that, I don't think people should subject young children to media like that of any kind. That's why people should follow ratings. -_- But most don't.

Desensitising doesn't equate to viewing those acts as normal in real life, though. I do expect, in a shooter, to be able to shoot and kill people. I do NOT expect to be able to walk out of my door and shoot people. I think it's easier to desensitise people to things like swearing. But violence, not so much. Maybe in terms of media, but that's all. I got used to seeing blood and gore by watching the show Spartacus and loving it, but it doesn't mean I would EVER want to see anything as brutal in real life. I mean, to me that's like saying that if you play pokemon, you're going to think it's okay to go up to a cat and punch it. It's linear thinking, I reckon. xD

Although there might be a link, I don't believe it causes more violence. However, I'm not basing this off statistics and facts (not that they could be definite anyway), so it's merely my opinion.


~SF.

[Zenith Avalon]

I agree with SF, Sarah, Hydra and Corey! Violence in video games isn't so much a cause as it's a trigger. A mentally healthy person isn't typically going to playing a game like GTA or COD and then suddenly go out and shoot people. They should KNOW the difference between right and wrong enough to not do something like that. However, a mentally UNstable person probably would commit such an act because they have no sense of reality. They can't and don't distinguish between right and wrong. If you've followed the stories of recent well-known shootings, the shooter usuallyis found out to have some sort of mental disability.

I can use myself as an example. I may not come off as such on the forums, but in real-life I can be pretty violent when provoked enough. I am somewhat quick to anger, and get frustrated easily. When playing games, if I keep screwing a certain up, I have a tendency to yell and maybe throw things (surprising, I know, lol). Does that mean video games have programmed me to be that way? NO. I am violent because IT IS IN MY BLOOD. My DNA is the source of my nature, NOT a video game. We are pre-programmed with certain dispositions when we are conceived, and our environment can either help us overcome them, or encourage them. It just depends.

[Bulbasaur]

Depends on the person IMO. I do not believe video games can DIRECTLY cause violent behavior; though it can definitely contribute. It's like when you get into a fight because of someone teasing you; it is not directly their fault, but it definitely contributes to the fight.

I'm not saying violent video games are ALWAYS bad though. It really depends on the person's reactions to things. I've actually heard some people say violent video games are a good way for them to let anger out, so in these cases, they could be good.

So I'm not really leaning toward either answer, since it could be different for every person.

[Neo Emolga]

As a kid, I'll admit I played Doom, Wolfenstein, and plenty of other violent, shooter games and watched plenty of violent movies. Never had issues, even when some of those games were probably too violent for that age. I knew what was real and what wasn't, and knowing that distinction is key when it comes to making sure whoever playing that game or watching that violent movie isn't going to go out and start shooting people.

Thing is, there are plenty of reminders that you're only playing a video game and everything you make your character do is just a virtual experience. Got shot but not feeling pain? You're playing a video game. Start over after dying? Yep, you're playing a video game. And those are just two of many signs that you're just playing a game and not a single thing you're doing is real. From stupid stuff like food healing you and being able to cast magic spells, there's plenty of reminders left and right.

Now, if you're someone that has mental issues where you can't separate the fantasy and virtual experience of video games from everyday life, there a problem. Most people play games to have fun, enjoy a competitive challenge, and they don't think twice about it. When the game goes off, it's back to reality and we set that stuff aside. But to those that feel like they're still living in the game outside of the actual game itself and think the same rules apply... that's a mental condition. Or when they play the game with the totally wrong mindset (such as playing GTA while fantasizing killing a real life person, committing crimes, etc.), that's also a mental condition.

It's really only those that can't separate the fantasy from reality that shouldn't be playing violent video games, have access to firearms, and so on.

Oh, and by the way, shooting a gun in real life is WAY, WAY different from video games and the movies. If you ever go to the range or take a firearms class, throw all that movie and video game junk out the window. Trust me.