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Brett
Frost

What is relation between video game violence and children?

I am a father to a boy child who is 9 years older. Since a long time he is demanding video games. As most of the children of his age play these kind of games, he too woshes for it. It’s not a concern but the main concern is of violence which are shown on video games. Children’s mind is something which you can mould the way you want to and they might get affected by these kind of games. I do not have lots of ideas regarding it but will certainly wish to know relation between video game violence and children.

8 months ago

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Louise Malone | Sep 23 2011

Many current video games in the market showcase large amount of violence. Use of bullets, fights and winning these at each level can increase violent streak in children. Use of computers for gaming is now an increasing trend in small children. They are easily adapted to scenes shown in electronic media.

Violence in video games can be in terms of violent scenes,criminal behavior, and other material causing aggression. But their effect on children’s behavior is still under study and is a matter of argument. Blaming video games only for violence in children would mean sparing other media. It has been researched that even though many violent games have been sold in US and other countries but actual level of violence is low in these countries.

Thus, there is still no valid connection between video games and violence in children.

Dylan Dudley | Aug 30 2011

Your worry is appropriate and justified. Video games' growing craze amongst children has got parents across the globe worried. To an extent, video games help in sharpening mental skills of the children. By playing these games they learn how to respond to certain circumstances quickly. However, excessive exposure can result in negative impacts being caused. Violence in video games has several ramifications on children which are harmful in the long run. These changes are not obvious in the beginning but after a certain period, the brain starts acting in the same way. The child starts thinking that fighting and gore are not a ‘bad’ thing and instead are a way of entertainment. For example, a game called ‘carmageddon’ has a disturbing punchline which says ‘as easy as stomping kittens’. Now, this might not seem very horrific but it somewhere puts across a message that killing a small animal is easy and fun. Not only violence, another thing that can be found in abundance in the game scenario is ‘nudity. Games like ‘Duke Nukem’ and ‘Grand Theft Auto’ show semi nude girls dancing and strolling. In both of these games, you get points for killing these girls.

So, while you cannot alter what game companies are making you can have a check on your child and introduce him to games which value child innocence and also help in development of a child.