Comments on: Correcting the violent video game rhetoric

Don Reisinger sets the record straight on anti-video game rhetoric. Where do you stand on this issue?

[tomeg]

What an idiot gesture to those who want to protec their family. (alternative to personally attacking you or your blog) Violent video games are mostly to blame for broken marriages, kids personality changes and disrespect for authority. The industry provides them but there should still be a social responsibility to its customers. I've seen friends' marriages go down the tubes because guys get addicted to games. Video game playing for most turns into an escapism to an alternate reality that allows them to act out characters that they can not be. Sports for example, who wouldn't want to be Derek Jeter or A-Rod for a few hours? Is it the industy's fault that people can't exercise self control and moderation? No, but the same logic can be applied to drugs or alcohol. Is it the addicts fault or the industry selling it. It's both. INdustry markets an exotic party lifestyle and the addict buys it.

[tomeg]

....and one more thing. I suppose you also adhere to the argument that if I don't like what's on TV, then I can just turn it off. Well, without people like the fanatics who you speak of in your article, this becomes more difficult. My three year old likes to watch Dodger games with me and I can't even watch that without having a preivew for a movie like "the hills have eyes 2" come on scarying the heck out of my daughter. If you haven't guessed yet, and from your rhetoric, you haven't, it's all about accountability on all parties.

[konfuzion]

I played the new generation of GTA games since I was 13, they truly are works of art... but it honestly breaks my heart that the game is so corrupt and that I bought GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas while I was underage, without an ID.
Even now I don't want to spend my weeks going on a rampage through the game... well I do want to... but I'd be giving into temptation.
In the words of R. Kelly... My mind's telling me noooo... but my BODY.... is telling me yeessssss

[743y5e]

Mr. Reisinger, I don't think you are old enough to see that these games destroys families & lives. By the way, I just read where some guy in England was stabbed while waiting in line to by the game. Why do you think kids are so much more violent? Heck,even a 7 year old was arrested for stealing a car not long ago. I wonder if he played any of the games in this series?

One other thing...does anyone remember Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold, & a town called Columbine, CO??

[snerk]

This is so completely off base, I don't know where to start. Kids are this way because of their parents and many other factors not related to video games. They are no longer taught respect or a healthy dose of fear of elders and the law. This deterioration began when kids were allowed to call the cops on their parents because they didn't like they way they were treated(and I am not talking about bonafide abuse cases). People who can't handle their children are the ones who blame anything but themselves. Shoving a Gameboy in a 3 year old's face to keep him quiet is your fault, not Nintendo's.

[zclayton2]

Does anyone remember the cafeteria shooting in a Flint, Michigan Jr High in 1968? I do, I was there. Guns and shootings in school are nothing new. Maybe if the gifted and talented program in Columbuine hadn't let Eric and Dylan fall through the cracks maybe there wouldn't have been anything to remember there either. Not that that lets the parents or the Perps off the hook, parents need to advocate for their kids, and E & D were old enough to choose a different way out. That said, if you look at the profiles of student shooters, they are the gifted and talented that the school system ignored. It takes intelligence and planning to pull that off, and when the schools don't engage the student, the student will find a way to engage the school. Often with bad results.

[smokified]

Bad parenting can be blamed for all of those examples too. I think there is far more concrete proof that bad parenting is the root cause if these issues as opposed to the no concrete evidence that video games cause this kind of violence.

Get a clue

[Andy_Gu]

Yes, and I'd like to blame Guitar Hero for making believe that I could play the guitar. Madden 19__ to 2008 have made me believe that I can play professional football. Oh wait, these are just games, fantasy. Let us raise our children. Legislation? What a joke. Don't legislate what I should be already doing. Don't save me from myself.

[mosion]

solid blog.

I'm tired of people expecting the gaming or movie industry to raise their child. These are the same parents who blame public schools for giving their kids bad manners. News flash, your kid is rude because you are rude. He uses foul language because he heard you use foul language around him. He isn't smart because you never read to him and he never sees you reading (People magazine doesn't count). He only watches television and plays video games because you made him watch barney for 6 hours a day from ages 3-7. Stop looking for excuses.

What if the problem isn't video games but bad parenting?

[snerk]

mosion, I love you a little bit right now.

[funnygrig]

I completely agree with you but this is our reality - most of day hours we are working, we have only evening 1-2 hours to be with the kids and we are enough tired in this time

[SRobertRoberts]

There's a good blog post at the BBC about the lack of uproar (on the other side of the pond) over GTA IV - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/04/gta_the_outrage_fades.html

Basically, the lack of uproar is believed to be down to 18 label on the box - it's clearly labeled as adult content and people are now generally used to the idea that if something is labeled for adults then it is for adults, so if your children are playing GTA IV then it's your fault, not the states.

[Dr. Zoltar]

I gotta agree with mosion. It's parents, not these games, that cause children to act poorly. When I was growing up it was D&D was going to turn me into a Satan worshipper. Did it? No. Next it was rock music. That didn't do it either. People blaming TV or video games are just looking for a scape goat. If you explain things to a child plainly, they are quite receptive and can determine the difference between right and wrong. Video games do not turn people violent. However, people do need to administer self control so that they do not become addicted to them. And yes tomeg, everyone is physically able to push the off button at anytime. If someone becomes addicted and suffers withdrawl, it's their own fault.

[eaglesinnc]

I have to agree that the fault lies on both sides. Parents aren't taking enough of an active role in raising their kids and many of them are not what I would call role models for them either. A parent should know whether their child should handle these types of games or not and they should simply not allow them to play games that are rated for older kids or adults. Instead they want to blame others (and maybe get a payday out of it) when their kid behaves in a violent or criminal manner.
At the same time, I wonder about a society that feels the need to play some of these games that are way over the line of what reflects our social norms and our laws. I'm an adult and probably past the age of the target audience of most of these games, but I can beat Tiger Woods and I'm learning to shred "Welcome to the Jungle" on my Wii. I just don't get the value of some of those other games and believe that some are way out of hand. But, here's what I do. I don't buy them. And as a parent, if I felt it was inappropriate for my kid, I wouldn't buy it for them either.

[chrisemcleod]

As a parent of four (yes four) kids under the age of 12, I think I'm probably more qualified than most in this dialog so far to comment.

It goes without saying (but yet its repeated like a mantra by 13-yr olds everywhere) that parents should protect their kids from violent media.

However, like a previous poster mentioned, its not "bad parenting" to be worried about a "hills have eyes 3" commercial coming on during a baseball game. Even with Tivo, where we blip through the commercials, you can still see scary/graphic images flashing by.

As to keeping your kids from violent content altogether, the problem is if you are a good parent, there is a very good chance your neighbor / uncle / brother is not, and your kids will be exposed via that route.

Bottom line for me is: label. Provide mechanisms for blocking. Its not the things the parents CAN control (because they are trying to be good parents), its the things they cannot control.

[BRENDAL]

WELL SAID - It is in the best interest of society that we rear the best possible future, so why wouldn't those who create some of this stuff want to take the high road and warn parents of the harmful contents. Also, what happened to the "family" time in the TV schedule ??????????????

[Gherreram]

Violent videogames make their users think thak killing, stealing and other crimes are a normal behaviuor. They are, or should be, illegal because they are an incitement to breaking the Law. The persons who invent, produce, and sell these programmes should be morarlly and legally responsible of the damages they are causing. particularly to young people. These violent games should be clasified as tje pornography of violence

[bbigal]

As far as I'm concerned there is a strong lack of parenting. Give them a whack on the but when you mean no. It certainly worked on me and guess what, no mental scars, lots of respect for others and a very strong work ethic; all things that are missing in a lot of todays kids. Bbigal

[luke9511]

i agree, i was raised the same way, when i was told no and i still refused i was spanked, that dont happen anymore cause if a parrent spanks their child someone can report them for child abuse which is bull

[jamespwass]

Myth 1. Violent video game research has yielded very mixed results.
Facts: Some studies have yielded nonsignificant video game effects, just as some smoking studies failed to find a significant link to lung cancer. But when one combines all relevant empirical studies using meta-analytic techniques, five separate effects emerge with considerable consistency. Violent video games are significantly associated with: increased aggressive behavior, thoughts, and affect; increased physiological arousal; and decreased prosocial (helping) behavior. Average effect sizes for experimental studies (which help establish causality) and correlational studies (which allow examination of serious violent behavior) appear comparable (Anderson & Bushman, 2001). Don, you sound like an idiot if you don't do your research.

[insx]

Once, after a particularly long Half Life session, a neighbour was playing his stereo particularly loudly. I went for my shotgun to blow the thing to pieces. It took me a second to realise that I was back in reality. Just thought I'd share that :)

Whether it can be proven or not, it seems crazy to me to feed our children with a constant supply of violent entertainment (which is becoming more and more realistic) and expect them not to believe that violence really is fun. If it's not books, films and games that are making violence more acceptable, what is?

Parents - if a game is 18 rated, adults can decide whether to play it or not but please don't let Little Jimmy, aged 10 grind you down until you let him have it.

[BruceCL]

This is an awesome blog. I think the uptight part of America needs to get a grip and realize that killings don't happen because somebody played GTA or any other violent game. Kids are not shooting up schools because of games. Some of these kids have been picked on and made to feel like they are not human and they got fed up and didn't know any other way to do things. Not saying that it's right to shoot up a school but the way some of those kids may have been treated do you think videogames had anything to do with that?

People are not getting robbed and shot and stabbed because of games. We live in a violent society and Killing has been going on forever and long before videogames were even thought of. It's an unfourtante part of reality. I live in Philadelphia One of the so called "dangerous" Cities in America.

there are people here dying almost everyday from Gun violence. DO you think videogames has anything to do with that? Its the environment from which they come. Not the fake reality that is the videogame world. There are kids out here who think that the only way to make it big in life is to sell drugs or play some kind of sport. Do you think videogames have anything to do with that?

There is poverty and some people feel that the only way they can survive is by robbing other people because they can't find work. Do you think games have anything to do with that? Crime for some people is a way of life. The reality for some is that crime is all that they have ever known. Some families raise there children into crime and gangs and things of that nature. Ive seen it happen and do you think games had anything to do with that?

We as a people can't just lump these people or kids who do bad things into 1 category. Everybody has there reasons for things. Everybody is an individual and people have there own minds and can make there own descisions.

You can't Blame gaming for violent behavior. Thats socially irresponsible because there are a lot more factors to a persons life then just people playing games. I get so sick and tired of people always trying to blame things on gaming or rap music. Somebody always has to try and blame someone else for Americas problems.

It starts at home and Parents need to teach there children right from wrong and teach them whats real and what isn't. We can teach our children and you hope they do the right thing but at the end of the day they are individuals and will make there own choice.

[lt x]

The video gaming industry which lures kids and grown ups (mostly men) into their products with sex and violence can not be excused or dimissed as harmless. The mind of a child (and adults) is influenced by outside stimulii; this is a fact that is supported by those who study brain and psychological development. Those who claim that video games have no influence on a child's mind have their heads in the sand. Using the argument by some gamers, who say that video games and other visual/audio stimulii have no effect on human behavior, then should have no problem with the N-word being used freely on Sesame Street or pornography being freely displayed in public libraries.

[BruceCL]

To compare a racial slur that has hundreds of years of deep rooted negative history behind it to videogames shows just how much you though about your reply. Those are two different subjects with two different backgrounds and thats way off base. How does porn and the use of a racial slur on sesame street compare? I don't think people are saying games don't influence a persons mind what they are saying(including me) is games don't make people go out and kill people. I have been playing violent games since the very first nintendo came out.. Duck hunt anybody? I was 5 or 6 years old at the time. The system came with a gun for crying out loud but did that make me want to go out and kill people? No it didn't because my parents taught me right from wrong and what was real and what wasn't. The gaming industry can put out what it wants to put out but if the child is under age then it's up to the parent to decide weather or not they want to expose there child to the game or not. Why try to stop a company from putting out a game that others will enjoy? It's called self censorship. If you don't like it don't buy it.
People fail to see that these games are more then just violence. They tell stories as well. GTA has a story to tell and it's up to the player to decide how they play the game. Is it violent? of course it is but it isn't any different then a Hollywood movie. If you don't like it don't buy it.... Thats really simple Logic.

[BruceCL]

by BruceCL May 2, 2008 8:49 AM To compare a racial slur that has hundreds of years of deep rooted negative history behind it to videogames shows just how much you though about your reply. Those are two different subjects with two different backgrounds and thats way off base. How does porn and the use of a racial slur on sesame street compare? I don't think people are saying games don't influence a persons mind what they are saying(including me) is games don't make people go out and kill people. I have been playing violent games since the very first nintendo came out.. Duck hunt anybody? I was 5 or 6 years old at the time. The system came with a gun for crying out loud but did that make me want to go out and kill people? No it didn't because my parents taught me right from wrong and what was real and what wasn't. The gaming industry can put out what it wants to put out but if the child is under age then it's up to the parent to decide weather or not they want to expose there child to the game or not. Why try to stop a company from putting out a game that others will enjoy? It's called self censorship. If you don't like it don't buy it. People fail to see that these games are more then just violence. They tell stories as well. GTA has a story to tell and it's up to the player to decide how they play the game. Is it violent? of course it is but it isn't any different then a Hollywood movie. If you don't like it don't buy it.... Thats really simple Logic.

[BruceCL]

by BruceCL May 2, 2008 8:49 AM To compare a racial slur that has hundreds of years of deep rooted negative history behind it to videogames shows just how much you though about your reply. Those are two different subjects with two different backgrounds and thats way off base. How does porn and the use of a racial slur on sesame street compare? I don't think people are saying games don't influence a persons mind what they are saying(including me) is games don't make people go out and kill people. I have been playing violent games since the very first nintendo came out.. Duck hunt anybody? I was 5 or 6 years old at the time. The system came with a gun for crying out loud but did that make me want to go out and kill people? No it didn't because my parents taught me right from wrong and what was real and what wasn't. The gaming industry can put out what it wants to put out but if the child is under age then it's up to the parent to decide weather or not they want to expose there child to the game or not. Why try to stop a company from putting out a game that others will enjoy? It's called self censorship. If you don't like it don't buy it. People fail to see that these games are more then just violence. They tell stories as well. GTA has a story to tell and it's up to the player to decide how they play the game. Is it violent? of course it is but it isn't any different then a Hollywood movie. If you don't like it don't buy it.... Thats really simple Logic.

[FS1982!]

Solid with very good points. I find the comments very interesting and am so thankful my parents raised me to be open minded letting me judge right and wrong for myself with guidance when I asked for it. The benefits of which most of these commentators could never fully understand because of the paradigms they were raised with which carries on and on and on. An applicable quote "It's unfortunate that people prefer the comfort of the past to the opportunity of the future." 20 points for the author of that quote. One last note: Bad things happen period. Is sheltering your children for their benefit or avoidance of your own fear and lack of education?

And lastly..."We didn't start the fire....it was always burnin' since the world's been turnin"

[smokified]

Tomeg, you are a ******* idiot and people like you who blatently know nothing yet cast blame make me ******* crazy pissed. Take your head out of your ass and look around you ignorant ****.

This article is 100% accurate. Those of you who disagree should try and give one ACTUAL example of this so called video game infulence.

Kids don't go out killing real people because they saw it in video games, they do it because other misguided idiots do it and because of bad parenting and stupid educators our children have lost hold on reality.

The next parent I run across that is blatently mistreating their children through ignorance, neglect, over sheltering, and abuse is going to pay dearly and I would gladly sit my stint in jail to make this point very clear. Wake up you ******* idiots it is time to take responsiblity for yourselves.