How Video Games Affect Children, Teenages and Adults

How Video Games Affect Children, Teenages and Adults

Negative Affects Of Video Games:
Most games for teenagers and adults have a large amount of violence in them, sometimes causing people to reenact scenes or levels in the game. This could be dangerous and in the past caused someone's death:

The move comes after the parents of a schoolboy murdered by a friend blamed the game for their son's death. Warren Leblanc, 17, of Braunstone Frith, Leicester, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the murder of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah in February 2004. Stefan's parent's claimed Leblanc had been obsessed by the game but standards bodies have rejected the link.

This is just an example of an incident when a teenage boy got too obsessed with a game, which is becoming more frequent. There have also been cases where people kill themselves due to losing a game.
There is also speculation about war games promoting young adults to go to war, and highlighting the "Best Parts" in being involved with the army, marines or cadets.
The genre of "MMORPG" (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" has been targeted the worst for addictive game play. An example of an MMORPG is World Of Warcraft. A group of children were found sat in front of computers in china "Farming for gold". After being interviewed most of the children had stated they were or had been playing for days non stop. There have also been deaths linked to "MMORPG" games.

n the latest saga over online gaming addiction in China, the parents of a 13-year-old Tianjin boy are suing the makers of World of Warcraft, blaming the game for the death of their son, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua. Mr. Chunliang has spoken to 63 parents whose children have allegedly suffered from online gaming addiction and plans to file a class-action suit, according to the report.

Most parents aren't worried about buying video games for their children, as they will probably limit them to a certain amount of time. But what if they don't and just let them play for hours on end? This is where the problems start.

Children and teenagers playing video games for a long time usually get lower grades in school, because of excessive gaming and no time revising or working. Influencing them to stay on the game or to do something much worse.


The age references on games today are becoming just numbers as children and teenagers just get their parents to buy the games for them in shops or stores.


Although there have been many debates and articles written about how games effect people, not much has been done about it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this thread as i think it is important for the younger generation to read before getting sucked into the gaming world.

Whilst I agree with the addiction side of your argument I couldn't agree less with the violence part.

Some modern kids are using video games as the scape goat. Car jackings/murder/other crimes happen everyday, it doesn't matter who you are, its just a fact of life. It comes down to a child being able to differentiate between what is right and wrong - that is the issue. If a child sees someone brutally beaten up, he's not going to re-enact that on one of his classmates unless he/she has some serious psychological problems.

Once in a while a child will try to shift the blame onto a violent game as if he/she is a victim.

The same could be said about violent films and so-called "copycat" crimes.



[edit on 4-11-2008 by dodgygeeza]

couldn't agree more with you! I am merely pointing out the possibilities of how games affect people.

Originally posted by Unubuh
couldn't agree more with you! I am merely pointing out the possibilities of how games affect people.

No problem. Nice thread.

For example, if someone was to jump from a bridge because he/she lost in a video game, that would mean that child would do the same thing if he/she lost any game. Sports would be extremely dangerous for that child.

It comes down to the psychological problems of that person.

As far as the addiction side, it certainly does affect school grades. It becomes like a drug, but no more than any other addiction does. The internet is one of the modern day addictions in a work place where someone would rather spend his/her time on facebook than doing their job.

A lack of ambition will have an effect too when people cannot get their priorities right (1% work / 99% play)

[edit on 4-11-2008 by dodgygeeza]

reply to post by Unubuh


This is just another case of parents dodging responsibility. The first case mentioned i remember well as its was the game Manhunt by Rockstar Games (makers of GTA) that the teens were obsessed with. The case actually led to the game being banned in the UK for a while which just made it that more desirable to teens. However this game is rated 18. Which means neither of the teens should have had access to it. Parents don't understand about games because they didn't have them when they were young and they don't realize how realistic they look these days.

Dodgygeeza is right. It is up to the individual to take responsibility for their actions. There is no need for any legislation on games. Parents and shops need to start taking the age ratings seriously when purchasing games and parents, remember, the console/pc WILL HAVE an OFF switch.

Violent games are not the real problem. I think it depends on the parents. I'm sure that if parents would interact more with their kids they could seek creative ways to increase the acceptance, popularity, and availability of games that are relatively prosocial, educational, and fun. The kids would be more happy and aware of dangers and understand what violence effectively is if someone explains it to them.
Here is a very nice example, Ben Heck transforms common gaming tools into a game share controller designed to promote parent-child interaction in support of the Games for Health Project : revision3.com...

Good thing about wow is the expansion is called cataclysm, this game is conditioning the masses

I might be weird but I’ve grown up watching gory movies and playing video games the more violent the better and I’ve never even been in a fight, felt depressed or re-inacted anything. I’ve counter-acted these activities with a healthy sporting life and was taught morals and ethics by my parents. Therefore, I would say it comes down to the individual, and how they were raised, just going by my own expreience.

Growing mind + addiction = problems.

Originally posted by Anonymous ATS
reply to post by Unubuh

 

This is just another case of parents dodging responsibility. The first case mentioned i remember well as its was the game Manhunt by Rockstar Games (makers of GTA) that the teens were obsessed with. The case actually led to the game being banned in the UK for a while which just made it that more desirable to teens. However this game is rated 18. Which means neither of the teens should have had access to it. Parents don't understand about games because they didn't have them when they were young and they don't realize how realistic they look these days.

Dodgygeeza is right. It is up to the individual to take responsibility for their actions. There is no need for any legislation on games. Parents and shops need to start taking the age ratings seriously when purchasing games and parents, remember, the console/pc WILL HAVE an OFF switch.

That game sucked.

Can we talk about games that are not rehashes or gore-porn cash-ins?

Like Final Fantasy,Ninja gaiden or Mario.

If someone is going to snap and kill someone they will do it regardless of whether or not they play video games. If someone is going to become obsessive about something, they will regardless of exposure to video games. Someone can just as easily become obsessed with collecting stamps as playing a video game. If someone is unstable enough to commit suicide they are going to do it no matter what the emotional trigger is.



You didn't see kids who played Cowboys and Indians in the '50s going around and killing people because the "violence" triggered something in them.

Why the outrage over video game violence, when mainstream movies feature more realistic violence and kids are exposed to see these as well?

If sound, responsible parenting was in place, there would be no concerns over video game violence causing real-life violence. It's a GAME. My widowed mother taught me the difference between right and wrong, fantasy and reality - and I've played violent games (still do) with no ill results.

It's easy to lay the blame on a game - even when they have parental ratings on the box.

I'm a gamer...and a parent of gamers. I can give some firsthand insight into the subject.

As for me: When I did play WoW, did I neglect my kids to some extent due to my playing habits? YES
Playing WoW, could I "get lost" in the game for 6, 8 ,10+ hours? YES
When I play Call of Duty (or other shooters), am I shorter tempered and more "black and white" (fight or flight?) than when I don't play it? YES

As for my kids: When they play games for long periods of time, do my wife and I see a loss of respect, listening, and social skills? YES

I know these study results are true, at least from my own observations. I have learned to recognize what games can do to my personality, and I actively control myself to prevent it from impacting those around me. My kids haven't developed the skills to do the same.

when i was younger i was able to listen or watch pretty much what ever i wanted to. lyrics with lots of bad language, movies that are rated R, but i always knew it was entertainment.

i think in most cases video games are the scape goat, i also think that parents just arent involved as much as they used to be. when i was growing up only my dad worked, which left my mom at home most of the time.

these days its normal for both parents to work, leaving children at home alone.

this is just my opinion.

Originally posted by SG-17
If someone is going to snap and kill someone they will do it regardless of whether or not they play video games. If someone is going to become obsessive about something, they will regardless of exposure to video games. Someone can just as easily become obsessed with collecting stamps as playing a video game. If someone is unstable enough to commit suicide they are going to do it no matter what the emotional trigger is.



You didn't see kids who played Cowboys and Indians in the '50s going around and killing people because the "violence" triggered something in them.

edit on 5/20/2011 by SG-17 because: (no reason given)

i agree.

they do this everytime, first it was tv and movies, then music and now videogames.

meh

fact is that over 99% of people who watch violent movies, listen to violent music and play violent games are not running around killing people.

so who's fault is it?

the individuals are to blame, and those who say those individuals know no better...

well those are the ones writing these shock pieces and pushing for the nanny system modern society is becoming.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Well it looks like a British university has been doing extensive studying and testing and every single case backs up their findings.

Sports games are more likely to induce anger and aggression than the "violent" games like Gears of War, GTA and Call of Duty (as examples).

Another negative effect of video games is being recruited into the army.

en.wikipedia.org...

America's Army (also known as AA or Army Game Project) is a series of video games and other media developed by the United States Army and released as a global public relations initiative to help with recruitment. America's Army was conceived by Colonel Casey Wardynski and was managed by the U.S. Army's Office of Economic and Manpower Analysis at the United States Military Academy.[2] Wardynski envisioned "using computer game technology to provide the public a virtual Soldier experience that was engaging, informative and entertaining."[3]



America's Army has been described as an extension of the military entertainment complex with criticism that it contributes to a militarization of society.[26]

From the satirical website americasarmy.ca...

"Welcome to the offices of Economic and Manpower Analyses here at our historic and sprawling West Point Academy campus! My name is Mindy! It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to a loving father of three (and a champion of the sanctioned use of armed force in pursuit of policy objectives). Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the project director of our newest recruitment strategy; our mission to staff future combat systems through current technologies. Without any further ado, I give to you Colonel Casey Wardynski!"

(warm applause)

"Thank you! Let me begin with some sentimental appeals to our national myths; assorted clichés coined by the state; the ideological shorthand meant to sweep your private doubts [away] of this virtual training course. This portal; this Trojan Horse that you living idiots paid for and actually rolled into your own kids’ rooms."

(stunned silence)

"Oops, did I just say that out loud? Oh, well, it’s not like it’s something new. It’s just the logical extension of the decades of bilge water that you’ve let us pump into your homes. The pink noise that hums away in the background while you run the gauntlet we force on you everyday. The billowing candy floss that helps to soften the blow. Deep down you’ve always known that your children already belong to us, so why don’t you cut the outraged parent routine, shut your mouth and get back in your seat. Your children already belong to us. What are you? You will pass on. And they won’t know a #ing thing but this 'community,' this real life Ender’s Game. Forget what you think you know."

reply to post by Unubuh


As far as I can tell from the research that I read on this subject excessive and obsessive viewing of violent media can be a contributing cause to violence; however it isn't the leading cause. How children are raised is almost certainly far more important. If children are abused they are much more likely to become violent; this could escalate to bullying; and if combined with other contributing causes including excessive viewing of violent media and video games it could be even worse.

There's many ignorant people on this site who will tell you that you're just being some sort of conservative, or religious nut for speaking about against how this trash negatively impacts our culture.

The truth is that if you're not a psychopath, you're being desensitized to violence. The truth is that this trash is being passed as being "cool".

What is "cool" but not caring to that which disturbs most people? People admire that...they think there's strength there.

So we've been demoralized, and paramorals have been installed in our society. Quick tricks that seem to make us feel good in the short run, but are terribly foolish and detrimental to the sustainability of our social institutions.

The people want it, though. There's no going back. Our species has been weakened by a variety of onslaughts, some being of our own foolish making, and others forced against our will or even awareness in other circumstances.

What you're seeing is a beginning of the decline in civility.

Ever seen the movie, "Idiocracy" ??