Violent Video Games and Their Effect on Children
Sean Brinker
Professor Colbert
English 128-03
7 April 2010
Violent Video Games and Their Effect on Children Ever since the creation of the first video game, they have had a certain effect on the individuals who play them. As video games have become more advanced and elaborate, children’s interest is at an all time high. With the degree of violence that has been a part of video games since the early 1990’s, parents and activists have claimed that these games are affecting children negatively. This claim only seems to contradict other major factors that may have a part in the developing minds of youth. There are other mental, problems at home or school, as well as programs and movies shown by the media that could have an effect on children. There are other ways to restrict what children are playing in regards to video games. Over the years, people have pushed to have these games removed from the shelves because they feel that they contribute to youth violence. Though the outcry against certain graphic video games is great, these games do not contribute to youth violence and should not be banned. Violent video games are typically a way to relax, a temporary outlet from a person’s everyday stress and problems. There have been speculations that violent video games effect children negatively, but do they truly drive children towards violent behavior. Dr. Jeanne Funk, a psychology professor at the University of Toledo has done research regarding the impact of playing violent video games. She states that “playing electronic games requires the player to make a series of choices that determine his or her progress through the game (1).” It’s true that violent video games reward the gamer for using violent means to accomplish a goal, but “rarely produce realistic consequences (Funk 1).” Dr. Funk has conducted multiple experiments to test the theory of how violent games impact children. Many of the children may have been previously exposed to violence prior to these
Professor Colbert
English 128-03
7 April 2010
Violent Video Games and Their Effect on Children Ever since the creation of the first video game, they have had a certain effect on the individuals who play them. As video games have become more advanced and elaborate, children’s interest is at an all time high. With the degree of violence that has been a part of video games since the early 1990’s, parents and activists have claimed that these games are affecting children negatively. This claim only seems to contradict other major factors that may have a part in the developing minds of youth. There are other mental, problems at home or school, as well as programs and movies shown by the media that could have an effect on children. There are other ways to restrict what children are playing in regards to video games. Over the years, people have pushed to have these games removed from the shelves because they feel that they contribute to youth violence. Though the outcry against certain graphic video games is great, these games do not contribute to youth violence and should not be banned. Violent video games are typically a way to relax, a temporary outlet from a person’s everyday stress and problems. There have been speculations that violent video games effect children negatively, but do they truly drive children towards violent behavior. Dr. Jeanne Funk, a psychology professor at the University of Toledo has done research regarding the impact of playing violent video games. She states that “playing electronic games requires the player to make a series of choices that determine his or her progress through the game (1).” It’s true that violent video games reward the gamer for using violent means to accomplish a goal, but “rarely produce realistic consequences (Funk 1).” Dr. Funk has conducted multiple experiments to test the theory of how violent games impact children. Many of the children may have been previously exposed to violence prior to these
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