September 7, 2008 7:04 PM PDT

Video game violence is a bad influence, but Facebook groups may be worse

by Dave Rosenberg
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In the past I've lobbied for the Wii to become the violent video game platform of choice, and in the process heard comments suggesting that video game violence was a problem for kids.

I'm here to admit that it's probably true that violent video games are bad for kids. There are lots of studies that suggest that to be true. However, there are plenty of other influences that are likely worse. One psychiatrist I spoke with said that lack of parenting is a much stronger influence than video games and violent movies combined.

Doesn't it rest on parents to teach kids to not do absurdly stupid things such as these Canadian teens who killed a cat in a microwave. And yet, as part of the punishment the teens are banned from using video games.

Two teenagers who cooked a Camrose cat to death in a microwave have been banned from playing violent video games and cannot own animals for at least two years, which means one boy's family must get rid of a dog they bought 10 weeks ago.

According to court ordered psychological assessments, video games were not found to have directly encouraged the boys' actions. But barring their access to such games was nonetheless a recommendation put forward in the assessments.

Perhaps a more influential source of violence is Facebook, where a number of groups sprouted up against the teens, as described on CTV.ca.

Another Facebook group on the issue said the teens should be shot, while individual posters threatened violence.

So what's worse? These two geniuses who kill a cat, or these other geniuses on Facebook who threaten them?

Who would have that social networking would inspire such bloodlust?

Dave Rosenberg dishes up "Software, Interrupted" with nearly 15 years of technology and marketing experience that spans from Bell Labs to multiple start-up IPOs to open-source enterprise software companies. He is co-founder of MuleSource and currently serves as the general manager of Hardy Way. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. You can contact Dave via e-mail at softwareinterrupted@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @daveofdoom.
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by annescollier September 8, 2008 2:53 PM PDT
Social networking doesn't inspire blood lust. Blood lust does. I agree that the ruling was silly - as if videogames are the source of all evil. But it's right in the same vein to suggest that social networking is. This is about behavioral issues, not technology - not even social media, I think. As platforms for stupid behavior, social sites may contribute to or reinforce a problem, but they're not causative, and it'll be good when society gets back thinking they are. Your question, however - "So what's worse? These two geniuses who kill a cat, or these other geniuses on Facebook who threaten them?" - is a good one. All best,
Anne Collier
www.netfamilynews.org
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About Software, Interrupted

In "Software, Interrupted," Dave Rosenberg discusses disruption in the software market, as well as the products and services that keep business technology norms in perpetual flux.

With nearly 15 years of technology and marketing experience spanning from Bell Labs to multiple start-up IPOs, Dave co-founded open-source software company MuleSource and now serves as general manager of Hardy Way. He also happens to be a U.S. patent holder and a workaholic. Technology is his best friend and mortal enemy.

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