The Effects of Violent Video Games and How the Same Impacts Society - Essay Example

Violent Video Games 16 March Violence in our society has increased significantly over the period of time; people have completely forgotten the values which ones made a peaceful world. This has happened because of a lot of reasons, one of the biggest reasons is the violence portrayed in movies and especially video games. The demand for violent video games is constantly increasing and the producers of such games have found this to be a very lucrative business. This paper will throw light upon the effects of violent video games and how the same impacts the society. Gaming consoles like Xbox, PS3 and others have become very popular these days and there is a huge demand for games like Hit man, Max Payne etc. Such games have a very negative impact on the mind-set of the young children who play such games. The fictitious events are often considered reality by innocent children who lack a proper sense of direction. The events portrayed in the game change the mind-set of young children. Children very often try stunts on their friends which are shown in violent video games. Playing violent video games increases aggression among people who play it and there are no two ways about it. “One study reveals that young men who are habitually aggressive may be especially vulnerable to the aggression-enhancing effects of repeated exposure to violent games," said psychologists Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D., and Karen E. Dill, Ph.D. "The other study reveals that even a brief exposure to violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive behavior in all types of participants” (Violent Video Games Can Increase Aggression). “On average, there is a significant tendency for the studies to yield an increase in aggression by those who have played the violent games," said Craig Anderson, an Iowa State University professor and leading researcher on the effects of media violence.” (Violent Video games under Attack). There are enough evidences which prove that playing violent video games give rise to violence in the society. This is extremely bad for the society, it is high time that this is realized and something should be done about it sooner rather than later. Every coin is two sided, playing games also has benefits. It relaxes a person and it is very entertaining to play games. The relaxation derived from playing games is immense and cannot be out into words. Research also proves that playing games makes the mind sharper and the response rate of the mind goes up by a significant level. “Nottingham Trent University professor Mark Griffiths said they can be a powerful distraction for youngsters undergoing painful cancer treatment. He also argues games can help develop social skills for children with attention disorders including autism. Mr Griffiths claims are made in the British Medical Journal out on Friday. The professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University said more research must be done into both the positive and negative effects of gaming. (The Positive effects of games). Violent games should be banned considering their impact on the society, so far we have been the architects of our own destruction by letting such games take over our society but this should not be the case any further. It is high time for us to do something about it. Suitable changes should be made in the law to restrict such games from becoming available to the public. Impact on Young Children Video games are unique form of entertainment and children love playing all sorts of games. Violent video games are the most popular amongst children, these games have a huge impact on the personality of the children who play it. “The most widely used "positive" impact video games are said to have on children is that they may improve a players manual dexterity and computer literacy. Ever-improving technology also provides players with better graphics that give a more "realistic" virtual playing experience. This quality makes the video game industry a powerful force in many adolescent lives. However, numerous studies show that video games, especially ones with violent content, make teens more aggressive.” (The Impact of Video Games) When it comes to confrontations, it has been found that children who play violent video games confront their teachers more often than children who don’t play violent video games. This again goes to show the attitude of the children and the impact of these violent video games on children. The level of aggression increases when a human being chooses to play violent video games, the violence depicted in the game changes people within literally no time. It has also been found that children who play these games regularly engage in fights with their peers, the level of aggression increases and it finally comes out in one way or another. “The interactive quality of video games differs from passively viewing television or movies because it allows players to become active participants in the games script. Players benefit from engaging in acts of violence and are then able to move to the games next level.” (The Impact of Video Games) The violent acts are continually repeated in violent video games, the same takes a toll on the mentality of the children playing it. When children keep playing such games over an extended period the level of aggression increases and they become prone to picking up fights and they also become contumacious and pugnacious. Parents must consistently check for ratings of games that their children play, If the rating is M or anything that isn’t suitable for kids, the parents should never permit their kids to play. These ratings are on the basis of the language and the graphics of a game and these ratings are to ensure that kids don’t play games meant for adults. Parents should never be careless when it comes to allowing the children to play video games. Children must be allowed to play but at the same time they should not be allowed to play games that aren’t meant for them. Parents must also ensure that the gaming console must never be kept in the bedroom of children, this will cause damage beyond repair. Parents must play with the children to ensure a healthy relationship. This will also ensure protection of children from unwanted exposure. “The ESRB is a self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA). The major video game manufacturers created this board after concerned groups applied pressure over the content of video games. Similar to the movie industrys rating system, all major game companies now submit their new products for rating to specially trained raters at the ESRB. The ESRB rates over 1,000 games per year.” (The Impact of Video Games) To conclude it is very fair to say that parents play a pivotal role in the development of children and considering the same every parent must ensure that the children are banned from playing violent video games so as to ensure their progress. References The Positive Effects of Games. In Only a Game. Retrieved on 16 March 2010 from: http://onlyagame.typepad.com/only_a_game/2005/07/the_positive_ef.html The Impact of Video Games. Medical Foundation. Retrieved on 16 March 2010 from: http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/videogames.html Violent Video Games can Increase Aggression. In Media Information. Retrieved on 16 March 2010 from: http://www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html Violent Video Games under Attack. In Wired. Retrieved on 16 March 2010 from: http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/news/2004/07/64101 Read More