Virtual Gangstas: Effect Of Violent Video Games

Over the past decade the popularity of video games has exploded. Adults as well as youth play these games. A large part of the video game market is made up of violent video games in which the player can commit terribly violent acts against others in the game. Many have begun to question the affect this kind virtual violence could have on the youth. There have been multiple studies done on this issue but many people are still divided on what to think. Some people think that these violent games have no affect on the youth that play them. Others think that violent video games may make children more aggressive. Still others hold that the games teach youth to commit violent acts. In the articles written by Ferguson it is clear his opinion is
Leonard (2009) says that there are studies that have “found a clear link between prolonged play in violent virtual reality and real-life aggression.” (p.254) He backs this statement by sharing the story of a young man named Devin Moore. Moore was picked up by a police officer in June 2003 on suspicion of stealing a car. When brought to the station Moore grabbed an officer’s Glock .40 caliber handgun and shot the officer. He proceeded to shoot and kill two more officers and then stole a police cruiser. It was later found that Moore was addicted to the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his addiction. Moore’s attorneys point out that Moore learned his behavior from the video game. There is a level in the game where the player steals a uniform to get access to the local prison so that he can free his friends. Once he does this he kills multiple officers in the station and steals a police cruiser. (Leonard, 2009, p.258) Leonard (2009) also notes that politicians have come down hard on “Ghettocentric” (p.260) games such as Grand Theft Auto by making tighter game restrictions so that children cannot purchase the game. He says that these “Ghettocentric” games are not the only thing to blame though. Leonard (2009) thinks that violent war video
I have never felt more aggressive after playing a violent video game nor have I ever lost my sense of reality. Many of my friends play the same games I do and I have not witnessed any abnormal aggressive behavior from them either. Although I have not experienced aggressive behavior or a loss of reality I do think I have been desensitized to violence. I can play or watch almost any kind of violent behavior on a screen, no matter how brutal or gruesome it might be, and it will not even phase me. I attribute this more to the movies I watch than the video games I play though. Video games are much more “cartoonish” and not nearly as realistic as movies. Although I can watch violence on a screen with no affect I still think it would affect me if a real violent act were to take place in front of me. This being said, I don’t think violent video games and movies have totally desensitized