Volconvo is a debate forum for the discussion of political, religious, and news-based topics.

DEEJ85 · Mar 23, 2007, 11:35 am

Do video games (perhaps violent ones) teach children to be violent?

I have often heard certain politicians (can't remember who) claiming that video games cause children or adults to engage in violent activities.

Do games like Grand Theft Auto convince children that extreme violence, drugs and stealing cars is okay? do Video games (specific or in general) cause any negative affects on the public?

Praxius · Mar 23, 2007, 11:50 am

No.... I grew up on Mortal Kombat and back then everybody was in an uproar on those games..... I also play GTA and many other games that have violence..... I still have yet to kill anyone or steal a car..... nor do I have the desire to.....

Games are the same as a movie, tv, music, comic books, etc...... it's entertainment and not a propaganda tool to teach kids bad behavior..... those who are influenced by them, need help.... or better parenting.

nobodyatall00 · Mar 23, 2007, 12:37 pm

No, video games do not cause people to be violent. People have a choice of how they react to stimuli in their environment. If they play a video game and believe that that is the real world then they shouldn't be playing them, they should be in counseling. Parents and politicians seem to just use the excuse that videogames teach children violence, etc. because it is easy to blame the media. However, no one ever seems to talk about the option that parents DON'T have to buy videogames for their kids.....you cannot willingly buy them these games and then complain about their so-called affect on children. Just be better parents and you won't have to worry about whether or not Grand Theft Auto was responsible for making your child into a serial killer.

brien · Mar 23, 2007, 01:46 pm

Just another way for politicians to shift blame away from those who are violent by blaming videos instead of the perpetrator(s). Video games don't vote but "victims" do.

Mr.Vicchio · Mar 23, 2007, 02:40 pm

I've been playing games since I was 4, I just have to totally disregard all of this.

The only time a Video Game can be blamed on a childs behavior is when stupid parents let their 10 year olds play games they should NEVER BE PLAYING.

Praxius · Mar 23, 2007, 03:12 pm

Yeah, I grew up on the Atari..... then to Coleco Vision, Intellivision, Vic20, Comadore 64, Nintendo, Sega Master, Gameboy, Game Gear, Super Nintendo, Sega Genisis, N64, Playstation, Neo Geo, Jaguar, PC, XboX, PS2, Gamecube, etc etc..... also I am a 3D animator, so games are in my blood..... if anybody is going to kill anybody over a video game, it would probably be me.... but they don't influence anybody that way, so it is not the case.

kenarigirl · Mar 25, 2007, 12:47 pm

No, video games doesn't cause kids to be voilent. I look at it this way if you teach your children right from wrong, then they know better. I don't play video games and i never did, but all of the cousins have. Yet none of them seem to be violent. If parents tach their children right form wrong then we would have the problem of saying that video games makes kids be violent. If we go as far as saying video games make children violent, then we should say that movies makes children violent, and let's go one step further the news. Every day we turn on the news and we hear and see violent acts beeing carried out on T.V. If a parent teach their child the right way we wouldn't be saying that video games influences child. Just like another person stated he grew up on Mortal Kombat, and he not violent. The real problem is parents are not around to teach their children the right way, so when they see something on a video games, t.v or a movies they want to copy it. PARENTS NEED TO STEP UP AND TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILTY, FOR THEIR CHILDREN ACTIONS. So blaming the people who are making the games, t.v shows and movies.

**Jack** · Mar 25, 2007, 12:53 pm

Looking back on the influences in my youth, I can't count the number of times and multitude of ways Elmer tried to kill Bugs or the coyote attempted to do in the roadrunner. Did I grow up thinking you could avoid being shot by sticking your finger in the barrel of a rifle? Did I believe that you could fall off a hundred foot cliff and get up and walk away?

Praxius · Mar 26, 2007, 03:24 pm

I thought the finger thing in the barrel would work...... Ernest did it when he went camping.

ZNFYRH · Mar 26, 2007, 04:46 pm

I think the opposite is more true... video games keep me from expressing violence in real life.

saltinespike · Mar 26, 2007, 05:25 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Isherwood

Looking back on the influences in my youth, I can't count the number of times and multitude of ways Elmer tried to kill Bugs or the coyote attempted to do in the roadrunner. Did I grow up thinking you could avoid being shot by sticking your finger in the barrel of a rifle? Did I believe that you could fall off a hundred foot cliff and get up and walk away?

You forgot to add "Did I think I could play hot potato with a stick of dynamite and live?" Haha.

Anywho, I agree with ZNFYRH. 6 star wanted levels would be pretty intimidating in real life. Rather not comit a crime after playing criminal inspired games.

gw120 · Mar 26, 2007, 05:57 pm

Hell no and it's total bullshit to claim it as so. I grew up playing GTA, I've yet to kill a man or woman or any of the violent shit that goes on in the game. Video games, rap music, death metal, they're all scape goats for the parents. Honestly that's who I blame everything (mostly) on. If the parents of the Columbine kid's would have took 10 fucking minutes to listen to their kids and give some god damn advice instead of pretending every thing's super duper, then Columbine would NEVER have happened, I guarantee.

Pardon the language.

saltinespike · Mar 26, 2007, 06:00 pm

Quote:

Quote by: gw120

Hell no and it's total bullshit to claim it as so. I grew up playing GTA, I've yet to kill a man or woman or any of the violent shit that goes on in the game. Video games, rap music, death metal, they're all scape goats for the parents. Honestly that's who I blame everything (mostly) on. If the parents of the Columbine kid's would have took 10 fucking minutes to listen to their kids and give some god damn advice instead of pretending every thing's super duper, then Columbine would NEVER have happened, I guarantee.

Pardon the language.

Plus, violent kids aren't learning these violent things from video games. A lot of it has to do with their surroundings.

Osborn F Enready · Apr 2, 2007, 04:03 pm

If anything, I can say that violent video-games provide an OUTLET for violent tendencies that may exist.

Regardless, people have a right to make and sell violent games, art, literature and film as much as I have a right to make up the market to purchase it.

Parents need to be parents, and stop pushing responsibility off on manufacturers for their childrens defficiencies.

ZNFYRH · Apr 2, 2007, 04:30 pm

Ditto, Osborn.

Nothing like having to unwind by "blowing shit up" in BF2142 or driving like a madman TDU.

Osborn F Enready · Apr 3, 2007, 02:22 pm

I think the best possible "mod" that could come out, would be one where they allow you to put your most hated politicians faces on the "enemy" in the FPS games.

That would bring "relieving stress" to a new high for me.

Call of Duty needs a mod like that, so I can run around wasting the bi-partisan monopoly on politics, at least in my virtual world. Maybe then we could have "virtual peace" in my "virtual world".

Praxius · Apr 3, 2007, 03:29 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Osborn F Enready

I think the best possible "mod" that could come out, would be one where they allow you to put your most hated politicians faces on the "enemy" in the FPS games.

That would bring "relieving stress" to a new high for me.

Call of Duty needs a mod like that, so I can run around wasting the bi-partisan monopoly on politics, at least in my virtual world. Maybe then we could have "virtual peace" in my "virtual world".

I actually remember when some idiots made a Mod off of Half-Life which took parts from the columbine massacre and all it was about was to go into a school and shoot as many students and teachers as you could before the police arrived......

It didn't go over very well.

Actually when you think about it.... in this situation, the game didn't promote the violence, but the violence promoted the game, so perhaps those in society who are against games should get their priorities straight.

Osborn F Enready · Apr 3, 2007, 03:35 pm

Exactly.....

the games only show the people who make up the culture, their reflected values in their products that the MARKET supports.

Chaossaber314 · Apr 4, 2007, 12:51 am

Quote:

Quote by: Praxius

I actually remember when some idiots made a Mod off of Half-Life which took parts from the columbine massacre and all it was about was to go into a school and shoot as many students and teachers as you could before the police arrived......

It didn't go over very well.

Actually when you think about it.... in this situation, the game didn't promote the violence, but the violence promoted the game, so perhaps those in society who are against games should get their priorities straight.

Yeah, it was in very bad taste which is really saying something about a community with mods like Scientist Hunt.

Alive · Apr 4, 2007, 05:24 am

All media has influence. The idea that TV, video games, etc. don't spread certain ideas which have real, tangible effects is ridiculous. Media is a means of spreading ideas and culture. One only has to study, say, propaganda films of the 20th century, to understand the truth of this. Or advertising in general--if it didn't work, it wouldn't happen. So yes, video games can definitely effect people in strong ways, including causing violent tendencies.

That doesn't mean there's a direct, absolute correlation. Just like I can watch Nazi propaganda and not immediately hate Jews, but that doesn't mean the propaganda was not effective. It also doesn't mean we should ban violent media. We shouldn't. But we should admit that it does have an effect, though what exactly the effect is, and its extent and power, is unknown.

Mar 23, 2007, 11:35 am	#1 (permalink) (top)
DEEJ85 Igneous Magma Posts: 261	Do videogames cause violence tendencies? Do video games (perhaps violent ones) teach children to be violent? I have often heard certain politicians (can't remember who) claiming that video games cause children or adults to engage in violent activities. Do games like Grand Theft Auto convince children that extreme violence, drugs and stealing cars is okay? do Video games (specific or in general) cause any negative affects on the public? Beware of Logical Fallacies. See a list of them in the link below. http://home.mcn.net/~montanabw/fallacies.html

Mar 23, 2007, 01:46 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
brien Iceberg Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,703	Just another way for politicians to shift blame away from those who are violent by blaming videos instead of the perpetrator(s). Video games don't vote but "victims" do. Brien the Iceberg If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything. M.T.

Mar 23, 2007, 02:40 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Mr.Vicchio Navy Veteran Location: Texas Posts: 6,335	I've been playing games since I was 4, I just have to totally disregard all of this. The only time a Video Game can be blamed on a childs behavior is when stupid parents let their 10 year olds play games they should NEVER BE PLAYING. Einstein's "Theory of Relativity" is still being challenged to this day, but by consensus Global Warming is a fact... that's REAL science at work, why didn't Albert just go that route?

Mar 25, 2007, 12:53 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 13,743	Looking back on the influences in my youth, I can't count the number of times and multitude of ways Elmer tried to kill Bugs or the coyote attempted to do in the roadrunner. Did I grow up thinking you could avoid being shot by sticking your finger in the barrel of a rifle? Did I believe that you could fall off a hundred foot cliff and get up and walk away? The Forum Rules Radical Atheist Heathen Queer Let's agree to respect each others views, no matter how wrong yours may be. (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Mar 26, 2007, 05:57 pm	#12 (permalink) (top)
gw120 Stabbed By Satan Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 247	Hell no and it's total bullshit to claim it as so. I grew up playing GTA, I've yet to kill a man or woman or any of the violent shit that goes on in the game. Video games, rap music, death metal, they're all scape goats for the parents. Honestly that's who I blame everything (mostly) on. If the parents of the Columbine kid's would have took 10 fucking minutes to listen to their kids and give some god damn advice instead of pretending every thing's super duper, then Columbine would NEVER have happened, I guarantee. Pardon the language. Economic Left/Right: -9.25 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.79 Reality is fantasy; Facts are perception.

Mar 23, 2007, 11:50 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
Praxius Mass'Debator Posts: 4,724	No.... I grew up on Mortal Kombat and back then everybody was in an uproar on those games..... I also play GTA and many other games that have violence..... I still have yet to kill anyone or steal a car..... nor do I have the desire to..... Games are the same as a movie, tv, music, comic books, etc...... it's entertainment and not a propaganda tool to teach kids bad behavior..... those who are influenced by them, need help.... or better parenting.

Mar 23, 2007, 12:37 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
nobodyatall00 Jenseena Posts: 9	No, video games do not cause people to be violent. People have a choice of how they react to stimuli in their environment. If they play a video game and believe that that is the real world then they shouldn't be playing them, they should be in counseling. Parents and politicians seem to just use the excuse that videogames teach children violence, etc. because it is easy to blame the media. However, no one ever seems to talk about the option that parents DON'T have to buy videogames for their kids.....you cannot willingly buy them these games and then complain about their so-called affect on children. Just be better parents and you won't have to worry about whether or not Grand Theft Auto was responsible for making your child into a serial killer.

Mar 23, 2007, 03:12 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
Praxius Mass'Debator Posts: 4,724	Yeah, I grew up on the Atari..... then to Coleco Vision, Intellivision, Vic20, Comadore 64, Nintendo, Sega Master, Gameboy, Game Gear, Super Nintendo, Sega Genisis, N64, Playstation, Neo Geo, Jaguar, PC, XboX, PS2, Gamecube, etc etc..... also I am a 3D animator, so games are in my blood..... if anybody is going to kill anybody over a video game, it would probably be me.... but they don't influence anybody that way, so it is not the case.

Mar 25, 2007, 12:47 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
kenarigirl Sedimentary Rock Posts: 3	No, video games doesn't cause kids to be voilent. I look at it this way if you teach your children right from wrong, then they know better. I don't play video games and i never did, but all of the cousins have. Yet none of them seem to be violent. If parents tach their children right form wrong then we would have the problem of saying that video games makes kids be violent. If we go as far as saying video games make children violent, then we should say that movies makes children violent, and let's go one step further the news. Every day we turn on the news and we hear and see violent acts beeing carried out on T.V. If a parent teach their child the right way we wouldn't be saying that video games influences child. Just like another person stated he grew up on Mortal Kombat, and he not violent. The real problem is parents are not around to teach their children the right way, so when they see something on a video games, t.v or a movies they want to copy it. PARENTS NEED TO STEP UP AND TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILTY, FOR THEIR CHILDREN ACTIONS. So blaming the people who are making the games, t.v shows and movies.

Mar 26, 2007, 03:24 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Praxius Mass'Debator Posts: 4,724	I thought the finger thing in the barrel would work...... Ernest did it when he went camping.

Mar 26, 2007, 04:46 pm	#10 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	I think the opposite is more true... video games keep me from expressing violence in real life.

Apr 2, 2007, 04:03 pm	#14 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	If anything, I can say that violent video-games provide an OUTLET for violent tendencies that may exist. Regardless, people have a right to make and sell violent games, art, literature and film as much as I have a right to make up the market to purchase it. Parents need to be parents, and stop pushing responsibility off on manufacturers for their childrens defficiencies. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Apr 2, 2007, 04:30 pm	#15 (permalink) (top)
ZNFYRH Volcanic Erupter Posts: 4,375	Ditto, Osborn. Nothing like having to unwind by "blowing shit up" in BF2142 or driving like a madman TDU.

Apr 3, 2007, 02:22 pm	#16 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	I think the best possible "mod" that could come out, would be one where they allow you to put your most hated politicians faces on the "enemy" in the FPS games. That would bring "relieving stress" to a new high for me. Call of Duty needs a mod like that, so I can run around wasting the bi-partisan monopoly on politics, at least in my virtual world. Maybe then we could have "virtual peace" in my "virtual world". Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Apr 3, 2007, 03:35 pm	#18 (permalink) (top)
Osborn F Enready Principled Observer Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 13,873	Exactly..... the games only show the people who make up the culture, their reflected values in their products that the MARKET supports. Petition of Redress of Grievances: http://www.givemeliberty.org/default.htm Canadian Lawsuit Against Their National Banks: http://www.freewebs.com/classaction/ Osborn F. Enready

Apr 4, 2007, 05:24 am	#20 (permalink) (top)
Alive Human Posts: 679	All media has influence. The idea that TV, video games, etc. don't spread certain ideas which have real, tangible effects is ridiculous. Media is a means of spreading ideas and culture. One only has to study, say, propaganda films of the 20th century, to understand the truth of this. Or advertising in general--if it didn't work, it wouldn't happen. So yes, video games can definitely effect people in strong ways, including causing violent tendencies. That doesn't mean there's a direct, absolute correlation. Just like I can watch Nazi propaganda and not immediately hate Jews, but that doesn't mean the propaganda was not effective. It also doesn't mean we should ban violent media. We shouldn't. But we should admit that it does have an effect, though what exactly the effect is, and its extent and power, is unknown.