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