In August, a Thai distributor halted sales of the video game Grand Theft Auto after a teenager confessed to robbing and murdering a taxi driver while trying to recreate a scene from the controversial game. Grand Theft Auto, now available in its fourth edition, has been criticized for depicting violence including beatings, carjackings, drive-by shootings, drunk driving, and prostitution.
In 2005, a multi-million dollar lawsuit was filed in Alabama against the makers and marketers of Grand Theft Auto, claiming that months of playing the game led a teenager to kill two police officers and a 911 dispatcher.
The American Psychological Association warns that violent video games can increase aggression, and, in fact, may be more harmful than violent television and movies because of the interactive nature of the games.
I think these are wake-up calls, but to do what?
- Should we encourage the government in tougher regulation of violent video games?
- Should the makers of video games implement stronger rating systems?
- Should retailers better enforce the sale of videos games to minors based on the ratings?
- Should parents pay closer attention to what their children play?
- Should parents restrict the number of hours that youngsters can play the games at home and in public arcades?
Do you have suggestions on how parents should handle these issues?
Read more about the effect of video games on crime and violence, sexuality, social development, and video game addiction.
“Should parents pay closer attention …”
“Should parents restrict …”
For me it comes down to 2 words, Be There. When the kids play, watch them, interact with them, play with them. In the “old days” of Atari we had to use the TV and so my parents would sit and watch me play. Now I sit with my kids and watch them and play with them. Yes, they beat me most of the time but I’m there.
I’m not sure of the arcade scene anymore but if that is a consideration, then ask them what they played. Did they see anything new and cool? If you are playing/watching at home with them then asking about it outside the house doesn’t come across as snooping, it’s wanting to know more of what’s out and fun.
In the end, exposure to things other than video games is what keeps them away from them. Walks, pickup games of any sport, going to see things around the community are what will pull them away from the controller, and the parents don’t have to be the bad guys.
It goes back to the old common sense rules about setting limits and managing their time.
In our gospel doctrine class we have had many discussions about monitoring children’s interaction with such diversions but there are still many parents that don’t think there is a threat.
There is no need for children to have a computer, television, or telephone in their bedrooms. It only creates opportunities for trouble. Al three of these things should be kept in common areas and their proper use should be a major topic in your weekly or monthly family councils.
It’s a sad commentary on parenting that we need to consider government intervention. The same bad parents that aren’t spending time with their kids as suggested earlier are voting for these regulations, breeding children that MAKE these games and all other inappropriate content.
It’s always going to be around no matter what regulations, rules or whatever are out there. We’ve got to teach our kids the correct principles and at some point they have to handle the situations as they come. True, we must, as parents, take as proactive approach as possible without interfering with our own children’s agency. Being naive, ignorant, or sheltered has it’s own set of consequences.
I agree with Mark, get out of the house and do stuff with your kids. However, I do have an internet filter in my home and all computers, video games are out in the open. But then my kids are still young, so I’ll just to KEEP it that way.
I think the above comments put into perspective the good that still abounds in a world today that may seem a little unsteady at the moment. Many thanks to you, I am assuming fathers, for your good examples as advocates for your children.
As a mother with two sons who love video games, this is just a great reminder to me that I am the one who chose to bring these children into this world and need to keep the responsibility of raising them in my own home. This allows me the opportunity to feel proud when they accomplish great things and to look for ways to improve what is going inside the home when things don’t go the way they should. There is no reason to give that power away to a larger force that cannot meet all individual needs.
We need to fight to keep the family safe and the best way is to stay involved and be parents. We can all make the time for our kids.
THe Thai case: A video game, making some one kill someone? Ridiculous. People need to take responsiblity for their own actions. He was just trying to abdicate responsibility.
2005 lawsuit: You should have mentioned that the lawsuit was a failure- just last week, Jack Thompson, the primary attourney who brought the case, was permanently disbarred partly for his involvement in the case. This case serves as a better example of corrupt lawyers than corrupt video games.
APA Study: And BYU participated in a similiar study that proved that reading the Old Testament increased violent behavior the same way that palying video games do. (I wouldn’t argue that video games don’t influence people, it is certainly a powerful form of media, perhaps second only to the power of music, but this “science” is a bit ridiculous).
To answer your questions: Tougher government regulation is unconstitutional and VERY bad policy. Parents should take responsibility, and largely do. (see below)
The video game industry is one of the cleanest forms of media in existence. There are very few M rated games, and few of them do well. In fact, the video games industrieres rating system is the best rating system used on any type of media. It has long served as a model for the movie industry (for example, the ESRB invented content descriptors, now used by the MPAA).
While there is always room for improvemnt by retailers to enforce their policies, they do just as well as the movie theater industry.
Parent definatly do need to play video games with their children. And Parents should ensure that children participate in a healthy balance of activites, including video games. Video games have great benefits to human development- such as hand eye coordination, reading, writing, and story telling ability, comunication, sociology, and on and on!
Suggestions: PLAY games WITH your kids! Board games, video games, card games (Okay, so Elder McConkie might not like that one…) sports,role playing and unstructored play are all important and fun!
Some Facts: 94% of game players under the age of 18 report that parents are directly involved with their game purchaseing decisions!111
Eighty-five percent of all games sold in 2007 were rated “E” for Everyone, “T” for Teen, or “E10+” for Everyone 10+.
Sixty-three percent of parents believe games are a positive part of their children’s lives.
visit http://www.theesa.com/facts/index.asp for more fascinating Game Industry Facts 🙂
As you can see, the video game indusry deserves a pat on the back for a job well done!