Are violent computer games harmless fun or a dangerous pastime?

davet82

New research by Brock University in Canada claims to have found the first
clear link between teenagers playing graphic titles and displaying aggressive
behaviour in real life.

Researchers said games like Grand Theft Auto could be teaching kids that
aggression is an "appropriate way to deal with conflict and anger"

“But I am convinced that the graphics in computer games are now so realistic that children can’t tell if they are computer generated or not and that’s what causes this behaviour.”

I'm a bit skeptical, i loved shoot'em ups as a kid (although with an 8bit console :pac: ) and it done me no harm... i think

SEPT 23 1989

When i was a pup they were blaming Gangsta Rap:D

Tombi!

One: you're supposed to be 18 to play those.
Two: I've been playing Mortal Kombat games since I was 6 years old or so and the GTA games since I was about 10 years old.

I agree that these games teach me that violence solves everything.

But I also learned that from violent films also.

Now, I spend time aiming for the civilians I see on the paths. At the moment, I have the army after me.

Amirani

Is alcohol a dangerous addictive drug or a harmless substance that allows people to relax?

It very much depends on the user, like video games.

krudler

simple solution, stupid parents shouldn't buy 18 rated games for kids.

Tombi!

krudler wrote: »

simple solution, stupid parents shouldn't buy 18 rated games for kids.

An even better solution is "don't do a bad job raising your kids".

Mousewar

It's terrible to see kids indoors playing these games all day. They should be outside stabbing and shanking and pimping for real, like in the old days.

Dymo

They keep kids off the streets and out of trouble

Brutal Deluxe

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

Two: I've been playing Mortal Kombat games since I was 6 years old

Same.

Thankfully I wasn't able to rip that guy's spine out through his back.

Icyseanfitz

oh its this argument again :rolleyes:

Anita Blow

Well instead of inept parents parents buying 18s games for their kids and then complaining that the government should do something, they should demonstrate a little personal responsibility and stop buying violent games for their 10 year olds.

Seifer

“But I am convinced that the graphics in computer games are now so realistic that children can’t tell if they are computer generated or not and that’s what causes this behaviour.”

What is that supposed to mean? That children think they are controlling real people with their xbox controller?

Local-womanizer

Parents need to realise that game ratings should be treated like movie ratings.

I think we should ban stupid parents.

Riddle101

Harmless fun, for the kids who have enough sense. I remember getting Grand Theft Auto 3 when I was 12, GTA:VC when I was 13 and GTA:SA when I was 14, and and I turned out fine. It really goes down to how a kid is raised.

davet82

super mario taught me to jump on peoples heads

Mr. CooL ICE

Sonic turned me into a jewellery thief

Mr Benevolent

The Ballad of Gay Tony taught me to always wear a parachute.

krudler

when i worked in retail and GTA San Andreas came out we had to explain to parents buying it what it was about, and the amount of them who shrugged their shoulders and bought it anyway for like a 9 year old was shocking, you know they'd be the first people ringing Joe Duffy the next day after their precious backed a truck over a hooker.

mikom

Genghis Khan was a divil for the ould GTA vice city.

Tombi!

I used to be a normal 10 year old boy.
I played Tomb Raider and now I'm a 30 year old woman with D cups and hunting for relics in tombs.

shruikan2553

Varies from person to person. These games are made for people over 16 and 18 so a 8 year old shouldnt be playing them unless the parents were sure that their child was responsible. We all know alcohol is bad for 5 year olds so we only sell it to over 18s. If parents dont want to parent then its their own problem if little jimmy starts being violent after playing call of duty online for hours a day.

Big Nasty

NiallSparky wrote: »

Is alcohol a dangerous addictive drug or a harmless substance that allows people to relax?

It very much depends on the user, like video games.

Exactly, the report is like saying there's a link between alcohol and alcoholics.

Oh, wait.

youreadthat

I just don't know where games end and reality begins. I mean, I haven't had sex and murdered that many prostitutes right...RIGHT?!

NTMK

krudler wrote: »

when i worked in retail and GTA San Andreas came out we had to explain to parents buying it what it was about, and the amount of them who shrugged their shoulders and bought it anyway for like a 9 year old was shocking, you know they'd be the first people ringing Joe Duffy the next day after their precious backed a truck over a hooker.

Did you get the angry parents giving out about how the never saw the big ****ing 18 on the box or never heard the warning you have to give every time someone buys a game?
They're such joyful people to deal with

R0ot

Yes because teenagers were never violent before video games....

flutterflye

It can prime an aggressive reaction, but not cause aggression, and certainly not cause deviant behavior or anything like that.

B.A._Baracus

I think anyone who says that video games corrupt peoples minds needs to step out of their bubble and live in the real world.

Casillas

Im sure the First World War happened because of insults over headsets during a COD clan match.

krudler

NTMK wrote: »

Did you get the angry parents giving out about how the never saw the big ****ing 18 on the box or never heard the warning you have to give every time someone buys a game?
They're such joyful people to deal with

oh god yeah , games a disgrace, kids play this, blah blah blahhhh. people really need to stop seeing gaming as kids pastime, it hasnt been for years, if it ever was. wouldnt let your kid watch an 18 rated film? dont let them play an 18 rated game then.

It always amuses me how a parent would freak out over a kid seeing a movie that is rated too old for them, yet have no problem with them playing the likes of GTA.

They're rated for a reason. They're not for children.

Anyone

I do think they can desentise them to violence and the consequences of violence, but that can also be said of all media these days.

GLaDOS

I knew it was the video games, even when it was Marilyn Manson I knew it was the video games.

Local-womanizer

Anyone wrote: »

I do think they can desentise them to violence and the consequences of violence, but that can also be said of all media these days.

That's why you heed the ratings and not let kids play them. Bad parents will also lay the blame at someone else's door.

How many millions play video games, it's the fastest growing entertainment medium in the world, yet we haven't got armed gangs roaming around running people over or beating prostitutes to death in an alleyway!

gobnaitolunacy

Casillas wrote: »

Im sure the First World War happened because of insults over headsets during a COD clan match.

No, it started when some bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich because he was hungry.

Casillas

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

No, it started when some bloke called Archie Duke shot an ostrich because he was hungry.

Cunning, very cunning

castletownman

I don't know. Whenever I played GTA I always payed the hookers promptly and never hit them from behind with a baseball bat

youreadthat

castletownman wrote: »

I don't know. Whenever I played GTA I always payed the hookers promptly and never hit them from behind with a baseball bat

A gentleman!

1ZRed

Not at all.

I just spend my days cruising around in my rhino tank picking up stars

Anyone

If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, we’d all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive electronic music

Skatedude

Anyone wrote: »

If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, we’d all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive electronic music

Damn, you just beat me to it

Lyaiera

I think we should start a campaign to stop all the murders caused by computer games. Every controller killed is some controller's child.

Anyone

Skatedude wrote: »

Damn, you just beat me to it

:pac:...................

TheDoc

I was allowed to watch 18's Sci Films and various other action films during the 80's from the tender age of 6.

I've been playing video games since I could wiggle my fingers. I have heard the same sort of debates and arguments for World of Warcraft, a game I've played for 8 years now.

Video game violence, and video games in general, are used as a very VERY LOOSE link to certain behavioural patterns and actions.

It gets more sound bites for politician to declare the reason for a young teen for going on a mass gunning spree was video games, rather then look into the individuals mental state and capacity, and learn there was something else, more sinsiter, more relevant.

It gets more sound bites from parents who claim World of Warcraft has turned their child into a zombie who doesn't do anything but play wow. Rather then focusing on learning if the individual maybe has an addictive personality, feels more comfortable playing games etc.

My parents have long since outlaid their concern with my gaming. They were not supportive when I tried to go full time proffesional with Warcraft III, and they felt my work within proffesional gaming was of no credit and a waste of time. My parents still go on about it.

But the fact remains I'm educated, I'm working a job at 24 where most my colleagues are 34, I played at the highest level of schoolboy football for ten years, I have a wonderful girlfriend of 6 years and I have a good group of friends.

It just so happens, that when I come home from work, rather then spend some hours watching TV, read a book, go for a walk, watch a film, listen to music, I like to play video games

TheDoc

I was allowed to watch 18's Sci Films and various other action films during the 80's from the tender age of 6.

I've been playing video games since I could wiggle my fingers. I have heard the same sort of debates and arguments for World of Warcraft, a game I've played for 8 years now.

Video game violence, and video games in general, are used as a very VERY LOOSE link to certain behavioural patterns and actions.

It gets more sound bites for politician to declare the reason for a young teen for going on a mass gunning spree was video games, rather then look into the individuals mental state and capacity, and learn there was something else, more sinsiter, more relevant.

It gets more sound bites from parents who claim World of Warcraft has turned their child into a zombie who doesn't do anything but play wow. Rather then focusing on learning if the individual maybe has an addictive personality, feels more comfortable playing games etc.

My parents have long since outlaid their concern with my gaming. They were not supportive when I tried to go full time proffesional with Warcraft III, and they felt my work within proffesional gaming was of no credit and a waste of time. My parents still go on about it.

But the fact remains I'm educated, I'm working a job at 24 where most my colleagues are 34, I played at the highest level of schoolboy football for ten years, I have a wonderful girlfriend of 6 years and I have a good group of friends.

It just so happens, that when I come home from work, rather then spend some hours watching TV, read a book, go for a walk, watch a film, listen to music, I like to play video games

Celly Smunt

Fifa causes aggression.

Where To

Anyone remember Daley Thompson's Supertest, where you had to vigorously shake your joystick?

Made me the total wanker I am today.

Tombi!

Where To wrote: »

Anyone remember Daley Thompson's Supertest, where you had to vigorously shake your joystick?

Made me the total wanker I am today.

The local priest used to tell me I had to help him with is joystick.

gobnaitolunacy

I used to like kicking people when they were down when playing Tekken.

I still do

CruelCoin

davet82 wrote: »

I'm a bit skeptical, i loved shoot'em ups as a kid (although with an 8bit console :pac: ) and it done me no harm... i think

It's only a danger if you have ****ty/absentee parents.
For all well adjusted families it's harmless fun.

Here Come The Pretzels

I think there are games like Portal, Braid,Little Big Planet etc which would actually help stimulate a young persons creativity and what not. I doubt if most parents are aware of these games though, and they just cave and buy them non age apropriate titles like COD.

ancapailldorcha

I never understand parents who complain that their kid does nothing but play videogames. Who bought the console, the game and allows it to happen? My Da kept threatening to throw mine out the window if I was at it too long for his liking and I knew he'd do it as well.