Video games and Violence Video games have been the pinnacle of modern day entertainment ever since the late 1980’s when it really grabbed the attention of many children seeking entertainment outside of watching television. The only problem with this is that video games like everything else that is popular, has become controversial. The main controversy surrounding video games is that they are considered violent and unsafe for children to play. Video games are also being blamed for inspiring countless acts of horrific crimes such as mass shootings, and murder which most of the time is unjustified and makes no sense. There is no research that proves video games cause violence. Video games are used as a scapegoat for politicians who don’t want
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The media associates crime and violence in video games using a cause and relationship argument. This is also stated in an article by Thom Gillespie called “Violence, Games & Art”. “It seems that if any shooting involving anyone who is white, between the ages of 12 and 18, with even a hint of computer game playing in the story- a variation of Flip Wilson’s old “the-devil-made-me-do-it” routine gets trotted out as “the-game-made-me-do-it.” One “expert” who does not play or even own computer games was quoted to the effect that “we have a problem in society, and that problem is the computer game.””(Gillespie Thom) This excerpt by Gillespie is a great example of how the media over exaggerates the adverse impact of video games on violence in society. Additionally, in Gillespie’s excerpt where he quotes the “expert” he provides no evidence for his position. The media neglects to report other key factors that may have contributed to the crime. “The obvious variable is that there are about 270,000,000 guns running freely through the U.S.” (Gillespie Thom) This quote leads on to the next reason as to why video games don’t cause …show more content…
Most parents of avid gamers believe their children are basically in solitary confinement which is an absurd remark. “Microsoft and Sony revolutionized social console gaming with Xbox Live and the Playstation Network.” (Adkins Kylie) These networks allow “confined” gamers to be able to communicate with anyone around the globe. This is not as effective as meeting them in person but at least gamers are communicating with other people and are learning social skills to help them communicate with other people in real life. An additional fact was retrieved from an article by Issues and Controversies which stated that “additionally, a recent review of research done by the American Psychological Association found that playing video games, even violent ones, may actually have positive effects on children by helping them vent their aggression in a harmless manner.” (“Violent Video Games” Issues and Controversies). Certain action video games have shown to improve reflexes and visual reaction
The media associates crime and violence in video games using a cause and relationship argument. This is also stated in an article by Thom Gillespie called “Violence, Games & Art”. “It seems that if any shooting involving anyone who is white, between the ages of 12 and 18, with even a hint of computer game playing in the story- a variation of Flip Wilson’s old “the-devil-made-me-do-it” routine gets trotted out as “the-game-made-me-do-it.” One “expert” who does not play or even own computer games was quoted to the effect that “we have a problem in society, and that problem is the computer game.””(Gillespie Thom) This excerpt by Gillespie is a great example of how the media over exaggerates the adverse impact of video games on violence in society. Additionally, in Gillespie’s excerpt where he quotes the “expert” he provides no evidence for his position. The media neglects to report other key factors that may have contributed to the crime. “The obvious variable is that there are about 270,000,000 guns running freely through the U.S.” (Gillespie Thom) This quote leads on to the next reason as to why video games don’t cause …show more content…
Most parents of avid gamers believe their children are basically in solitary confinement which is an absurd remark. “Microsoft and Sony revolutionized social console gaming with Xbox Live and the Playstation Network.” (Adkins Kylie) These networks allow “confined” gamers to be able to communicate with anyone around the globe. This is not as effective as meeting them in person but at least gamers are communicating with other people and are learning social skills to help them communicate with other people in real life. An additional fact was retrieved from an article by Issues and Controversies which stated that “additionally, a recent review of research done by the American Psychological Association found that playing video games, even violent ones, may actually have positive effects on children by helping them vent their aggression in a harmless manner.” (“Violent Video Games” Issues and Controversies). Certain action video games have shown to improve reflexes and visual reaction