In 2008, studies at the Pew Research Center showed that 97 percent of youth from ages 12 to 17 played some type of video game. Of that 97 percent, two-thirds played video games containing some violent content. There have been many studies regarding the effect of violent video games, especially on minors. Unfortunately, many wish to ban these games from youth. These violent video games should not be banned for minors, because they can educate the player, there is no link between violent video game exposure and aggression, and the violent video games can be part of development.
One reason for keeping violent video games in the hands of minors is that the games can teach the player. For example, Joshua Quittner, the author of Are Video-games …show more content…
This means that if violent video games are banned, youth would lose an important teaching device. Is this truly what is best for youth? Since the evidence shows that video games with violent content can be a helpful teaching device, violent video games must not be banned. While violent video games can be helpful, they can also expose youth to an excess amount of violence. However, the same can be said about violent books, but nobody suggests banning them to youth. Why doesn’t anybody suggest banning them? In fact, Seattle Times writer, David G. Savage quotes Justice Antonin Scalia, a United States Supreme Court Justice, in the article Free speech trumps blocking kids from violent …show more content…
For instance, in the Harvard Health Publication Mental Health Letter, Violent video games and young people, the U.S. Department of Justice funded research at the Center for Mental Health. This research indicated that “...in the vast majority of cases, use of violent video games may be part of normal development, especially in boys -- and a legitimate source of fun too.”(Violent) This means that if violent video games are banned, minors might lose something very valuable. Is this truly what is best for youth? Banning something that would usually be a part of normal development? Granted, violent video games could affect very young minds, and technically any minor can buy any video game, regardless of the rating it has been given by the industry; however, most violent video games are purchased with the parent’s approval. For example in the article Battle over violent video games heating up ; Washington state case may help define limits on sales to children: [FINAL Edition], author Larry Copeland writes “Opponents of such bans say the industry polices itself and that most videos are purchased by parents or with their consent”(Copeland). Also, Judith Vessey, the author of the article Violent video games affecting our children, writes “Unfortunately, 80% of today 's most popular video games contain violence, leading parents and other responsible adults to be
One reason for keeping violent video games in the hands of minors is that the games can teach the player. For example, Joshua Quittner, the author of Are Video-games …show more content…
This means that if violent video games are banned, youth would lose an important teaching device. Is this truly what is best for youth? Since the evidence shows that video games with violent content can be a helpful teaching device, violent video games must not be banned. While violent video games can be helpful, they can also expose youth to an excess amount of violence. However, the same can be said about violent books, but nobody suggests banning them to youth. Why doesn’t anybody suggest banning them? In fact, Seattle Times writer, David G. Savage quotes Justice Antonin Scalia, a United States Supreme Court Justice, in the article Free speech trumps blocking kids from violent …show more content…
For instance, in the Harvard Health Publication Mental Health Letter, Violent video games and young people, the U.S. Department of Justice funded research at the Center for Mental Health. This research indicated that “...in the vast majority of cases, use of violent video games may be part of normal development, especially in boys -- and a legitimate source of fun too.”(Violent) This means that if violent video games are banned, minors might lose something very valuable. Is this truly what is best for youth? Banning something that would usually be a part of normal development? Granted, violent video games could affect very young minds, and technically any minor can buy any video game, regardless of the rating it has been given by the industry; however, most violent video games are purchased with the parent’s approval. For example in the article Battle over violent video games heating up ; Washington state case may help define limits on sales to children: [FINAL Edition], author Larry Copeland writes “Opponents of such bans say the industry polices itself and that most videos are purchased by parents or with their consent”(Copeland). Also, Judith Vessey, the author of the article Violent video games affecting our children, writes “Unfortunately, 80% of today 's most popular video games contain violence, leading parents and other responsible adults to be