Quote of the day: Violent video games like porn

In a Friday Reuters story about the preliminary approval of a California bill banning the sale of violent video games to minors, the bill's author compares the sale of violent video games to the sale of adult items like pornography.

"For the same reason we don't allow kids to buy pornography, cigarettes or alcohol, we shouldn't allow them to go to stores and buy video games that teach them to do the very things we put people in jail for," said Democratic Assemblyman Leland Yee, a child psychologist. He cited specific scenarios from video games, including children "abusing women, joining street gangs, killing police officers or even assassinating President Kennedy."

Nonsense

What kind of nonsense is that?

Last time I checked there was no conclusive scientific evidence that "violent" games cause actual violence or any behavioral deviations.

I've played "violent" games ever since my childhood (for 20-odd years now) and have never started a (real) fight in my life.

[Kaenash]

Keep an Open Mind

My personal opinion on the subject is that;

It is naïve to think, that just because YOU have played video games for 20 years there are no adverse affects to playing them.

You do not represent a ?population? of which we can draw any conclusions from. You?d need to do the appropriate research and control for any outside factors, that would skew the results IE: Violence is more likely associated with economic conditions, and education, so you would need to use populations with similar backgrounds.

If that?s too much statistics for you, consider this;

I could drink socially for 20 years. I could drink a case of beer every night before going to bed, and never drive drunk, never do anything that would get me in ?trouble? (IE: run nekked around the yard screaming, or drive my car into a tree).

Yet, its logical to think that people who drink, are more likely to drive drunk, then people who don?t. Right?

So, just because You or I never drove drunk or acted irresponsibly is no evidence one way or the other that drinking does or doesn?t lead to that kind of behavior.

I think one thing to consider, is that it may be a contributing factor to behavior. I am not convinced 100% one way or the other, but I know if someone for instance taught me to hate a person of a certain skin tone from the age of 3, and then had me take part in a variety of excercises designed to indoctrinate me into that belief, then it would be ?possible? that would contribute to a racist attitude on my part.

I do not need a statistical study to know that. I just can?t tell you how likely it is, because I have no statistical evidence. I do know its possible.

So if you play games, that encourage you to a certain type of behavior in a formative stage in your life, it may indeed lead to an attitude towards violence. I just can?t tell you how many it affects.

[jwmc1971]

well...

ive been ACTING violent for 33 years now AND playing killer games and i've never killed anyone ...so far

[Christopher Hall]

Now that's just silly

I'm an avid gamer, but I'm all for this bill. It's painfully clear that parents simply aren't doing their jobs these days, which means that someone has to.

Sad, though, that they actually had a valid argument when they likened violent video games to violent movies, the way it should be. But putting it up there with porn is a bit of a stretch.

I don't think anyone should be denied acces to video games

Out lawing sells of video games is for one, a violation of the first ammendment, and two pointless. If you have fifty dollors for a video game you are eigher 16 and is working or, not working and your parents are buying it for you. In which case they should think to them selves that "hmm this game is named after a violent crime. Do I realy want to give this to my six year old son?"

Video games like grand theft auto are not responsible for crimes commeded by people who have played them. Anyone who has blamed their actions on them are just trying to get themselves out of trouble. Let's put it this way, if you had a choice between going to prison for 80 years or telling everyone "it's the evil video game makers fault, let's sue them" which would you choose?

If we ban grand theft auto for being violent, then sports like football should be banned that too, let's have police officers walk around the park all day telling little kids they can't play football unless your 18 or older, and completly ingore every other problem in the world.

[Felisita Cheung]

Let's Protect Our Kids

I agree we should ban violent video games. More kids now are playing it and there's a new generation coming.

The MIND is a serious matter. Visual effects sticks into your conciousness and a person can become numb from watching violence. This applies to any form of violence and pornography.

Take it from my experience. I'm only 25, but there are just things that I watched that seeps through my head that I now consider very wrong.

We should put good stuff into our kids' minds. Its priceless. dont opt for garbage.

[jsnsctt85]

Video games are bad. Well, do you want queer kids or real kids?

"or even assassinating President Kennedy".

well, I seriously believe its impossible to assassinate somebody twice. And by the way, video games do not cause violence. Little boys are supposed to play dirty and rough. The reason why so much of this violence occurs, is the lack of parental control with their own children. Children are supposed to have a sorta "fear" of Mom and Dad. This "fear" kept me and my brother out of trouble, and we played bloody gorey war games, shoot'em up games, and GTA series games. But, if you dont like them playing video games, then let me suggest letting them have barbies, and let's see how they turn out.