Violence and video games related? .... I think not, but what about you?

[Willieh]

I wasn't sure if this thread has already been made yet, but if it has it is old. So...

 

 

My argument:

http://www.comcast.net/data/fan/html/popup.html?v=780165376&pl=780378774.xml&plc=780378774&launchpoint=Cover&cid=fancover&attr=default_headline&config=/config/common/fan/default.xml

 

Several teens were found in Long Island commiting several acts of criminal intent. They were taken into custody immediantly after the authorities were informed of their actions. When asked about why they did it, they replied with "We were impersonating a character on Grand Theft Auto 4." Now one might say "Oh my god these video games have corrupted the minds of our youth!" I disagree however. I think this is the reaction of adults overlooking just how innocent little susy really is. If you think about it the way I do, it will probably become clearer to you. Consider the fact that a toddler who has just learned to talk actually has the ability to lie to you when asked of something they did wrong. Let's say this little kid went onto a website that he or she was not supposed to; let's say you find out and confront the child. If you look at them and say "Hey, have you been looking at any websites I told you not to look at?" they will most likely reply with "NO!"

 

Now this proves my point of view, which I am about to tell you about, in many ways. But back to that later. I assume that the children knew all about how the media jump all over video games and how they acknoledge some type of connection between video games and violence. As teenagers, they probably knew how to use this to their advantage. My view on the senario on that situation is this; the kids decided they wanted to commit crimes, they were caught, they knew that they could use the video games as a scapegoat, and they did. Adults underestimate how manipulative our youth can be.

 

Now how does this relate to my story about little suzy looking at a website she shouldn't? Well easily. The kid is born knowing how to lie; these skills cannot be deprived, but can only develop if not properly trained. Note that these kids backgrounds were not checked for any criminal history, or family history, or anything for that matter. Hence my conclusion, video games, in most situations, do not contribute to violent acts in our real world.

 

Please post your opinions. And please look at it from more than one side, there has to be some person on here who disagrees with my view, or else it isn't a debate.

 

Enjoy life, and enjoy arguing ^_^.

[Tkill93]

This isn't really a debate to me. This comes up very often, and most of the time we come to the same conclusion. Yes, it is sometimes related to violence, but it's the parents fault. Honestly, my dad bought me Grand Theft Auto: Vice City when it came out, we played together for crying out loud. My point? He knew that I wouldn't grow up to be a murderer. Parents need to control their kids, and not buy them M rated games if the kids can't handle it, or just stop doing it all together. Irresponsible parenting is the cause of it.

 

And then there are the kids who use it as a scapegoat. They're scared, they're in trouble, so they do what the can to help themselves out. Though I don't approve of it, it's to be expected

[Death Metal]

No, the video game doesnt tell or encourage you to kill in real life. There rated M for a reason....so little kids don't play them.

[VainZiler]

The idea that video games incites violence and 'corrupts' kids regardless of what kind of game it is, is a joke. If this was really the case, why not attack the TV more? Why not target books as well? It's simply nothing more then the common link of media that violent kids seem to share. It's not even really a factor, I myself was raised on many things considered 'wrong' for young kids to see:

 

I was raised on video games, from Mario to Mortal Kombat, my 'bed time stories' would either consist of the random sexual rantings of my perverse uncles, or something by Steven King from my mom. The only real music I listened to was usually Heavy, Speed, or Death Metal, as it was all my mom and uncles would (and still do) listen to. And horror movies? I knew all the classics. Hell, I even watched wrestling a lot.

 

But did this make me a crazed and violent person? No. between having a parent and uncles to help point me in the right direction, and something called personal responsibility, I walked the path I do now.

 

Anyone who wants to blame media for kids turning out bad, is nothing more then the tool of a judgmental and closed minded group looking for a quick fixx answer to the worlds problems.

[nobody9999]

Well, it says M for a reason. Honestly, some parents are so irresponsible they'd let a ten year old play it. That type of structure being formed at such an age leads to murder. It's alright to do it in a video game, but still, in real life its just..stupid.

[FindingTheEverlight]

There is only one reason those stupid kids said that stuff, and that was just to get out of it. Or it could be some sort of psycological disorder, but never-the-less, video games don't make kids violent, it's their own mind that make them do that stuff.

[Static]

Am I the only one who wanted to do stuff they saw in GTA4 in real life?

 

Videogames = needless to society. However, this is not that debate. I will say that all people, when exposed to certain things over and over again, become subconsciously "used" to it, meaning the games will have subconscious effects. It will not make you directly say "Hey, lets go steal someones car because it was fun in the game," but the idea of stealing a car subconsciously is more morally acceptable after playing 75 hours of GTA4.

[2sick4u]

Bah.

It all reflects lack of parental independence.

I mean, GTA: San Andres (<-- Or whatever..) Was nearly banned in Australia.

Only because parents couldn't cope with their kids not shutting up about it,

nor the influence it might have.

Parents need to grow up.

O.o".

Then again, the kid needs to know what exactly the "Greater good" means, and not try to be some Grove Street brawler all the time. ~_~.

All in all, I couldn't care less.

There's always going to be some violent wack-job out there, since it does reflect primal instinct, but, killing off whatever video games made them that way wouldn't effect the numbers of them in the slightest.

=/.

[Fidel Castro]

Violence isn't related to video games.... video games are related to violence.

 

No matter what we do crime will always exist. Video games are simply a fake version of what crimes people will always commit.

 

Whats better... blowing someones head off with a shotgun in a game, or blowing someones head off with a shotgun in real life?

 

Violent video games are a alternative to crime. Just as porn/prostitutes are alternitaves to rape. Its just something else that will get rid of the urges people have.

[lego Mix]

I don't think so either. That's why they made a rating software. To prevent kids from doing violence in real life. Any game that has blood or any body parts that appear in that game should be rated M.

[saintslashgeorge666]

This is a subject with too many exceptions. Mainly, the only way that violence can be linked to video games is poor parents who use violent video games to "babysit" for them, or are violent themselves. Otherwise, it is just a lame excuse, one that fuels people like Hilary Clinton to try and remove all video games from society.

[kidchaor]

video games aren't the cause of violence. people cause violence.