Can we REALLY make the claim that video games are making the youth of today violent?

Pretty self explanatory, but it raises a good point. Supposedly, a staggering 91% of the UK alone spend over 6 hours a day in front of a screen, and this number is rapidly increasing. There's also a near conclusive correlation between the popularity of certain video games and the increase in knife crime, gun shootings, theft and drug use in those aged 15-21. Take Jamie Bulger, for example. That's a good argument for the claim. But, the majority of those aged 15-21 commit less than 4 crimes a year, mainly minor crimes.
What do you guys think?

Don't mess with storms, or you're getting shocked.

No. But seriously, parents should stop complaining about how "video games are ruining our children" and freaking limit them. If your child is starting to show some screwed-up behavior, then you should limit the games he plays.

Your friendly neighborhood [112]hole is here!

We can. It's just probably wrong.

Black holes suck.

Fair point, viperII, but you have to admit, younger children are playing increasingly more violent video games, and they emulate them. Can you imagine a child copying COD or something, and snapping another child's arm or neck because they've seen it in the game?

Don't mess with storms, or you're getting shocked.

Well, the simple answer is that kid probably needs to go to rehabilitation for the reality challenged.

If you imitate the stuff you do in violent games, stop playing violent games. And Viper has a point, it's somewhat satisfying to beat the crap out of people in titles like Bully though being satisfied by in-game murder for anger relief is a bit... sketchy.

Your friendly neighborhood [112]hole is here!

It depends on the person playing it. Not the game.

I don't have anything intelligent to say.

The distinguished luisjo96 spake:

not really , videogames dont make you violent


the lag and losing does XD

I was just about to say that! :L
Besides, why all the hate on video games, what about movies? They can be just as violent?

the game

Depends on the maturity of the child. Also their knowledge of the world, some kids don't actualy find some things as dangerous as they are.

yeah, tis fundyfriday lol

I say all kids too immature to play violent video games.

I don't have anything intelligent to say.

I think its rather stupid to let 10 year olds and below play M rated games. They have not matured enough, In most cases.

Former BBmin and Gamemin.

Instead of complaining about how video games make kids do bad stuff, he parents should do everything in their power to show them that doing it what they see in on the TV is wrong. To tell the truth, I let my 5 year old sister play COD, and not once has she acted violent. She thinks its cool and all but she knows its just a video game.
On the other side, is my 5 year old cousin. He's uncontrollable. Not saying my Aunt is a bad parent, or that any parent is a bad parent, but that teaching reality and non-reality could probably help.

^My larents never really told me that, you don't see me acting violent lol.

OKAY NOW! Straight to the waffling point. Fact one. Children have (I'm alsmost certain) been inexperienced and thought violence was fine. (But!) Fact 2. Not all children are this way! So yes, I guess some games could make a child violent, but all a parent has to do, is sit down and have a talk with them. Also, there are just some plain out mentally disturbed and sick in the head people in this world. Whether that's the parent or the child, someone needs to talk to them. Rant over.

yeah, tis fundyfriday lol

Video Games = Anger Management

My ideal life; Living to the fullest, having fun, and geeking on a linux box.

How is Call of Duty affecting kids' minds?

Well, you can say that it definitely does do something. As stated above, what parent that's completely sane would by a 8 year old a gun game? Gun games and other violent games are only appropriate if your child has grown up knowing what goes on in the news that surround guns. If they come to understand that guns and shooting are actually serious, then there's nothing wrong with letting them play the game.

Obviously, if you see them becoming more and more violent, you're going to do something. Take the game away.

And what's the difference between killing in a movie and killing in a game? There's something VERY different there. In a movie, you're seeing a person kill someone, and you usually tend to feel bad for the person that died. But in games like Call of Duty, you're killing them yourself. And you're happy when you kill them, for selfish reasons.

So, it really depends on how the child is raised and how mature they are that determines whether it's bad for them or not.

I promise you'll be disappointed.

I think we can.

Yes! Video games provide reasonably sturdy blunt objects with which kids can attack each other! Down with video games!

Moo.

No, it's not. If someone didn't enjoy it, if they didn't already have it in them, they wouldn't be playing the games in the first place.

The distinguished Wolf SkullBlade spake:

Fair point, viperII, but you have to admit, younger children are playing increasingly more violent video games, and they emulate them. Can you imagine a child copying COD or something, and snapping another child's arm or neck because they've seen it in the game?

Ummm... I'm in elementary school... And everybody except the girls, me, and another boy play COD frequently. Idk why...

~T2

The inclination is already there regardless of the games, is my point.

Shocking fact: Ever seen the screen that says: "all gameplay in this game does not portray to the real world. When driving, always use your seatbelts and follow the speedlimits. That is 5% of kids who tried to recreate Need For Speed... or tried to drive like in GTA 4 with a fake gun...

Mythic3D