Separating Games and Real Life
Since the advent of video games, violence has taken place in the form of simple pixels which are now morphed into polygons and presented as realistic images on screen. One of the earliest games to contribute to violence on a small scale was Space Invaders (circa. 1978) until the present where rated M games are released due to violence, gore, adult content or stimulated gambling. The evolution of violence in gaming is considered an art form as developers are tasked with developing new ways to disembowel, dismantle or decapitate characters in a video game. However, with the introduction of new blood thirsty games, parents are concerned about children being exposed to such violent content. These such contents can become prompts for children and teenagers to thoughtfully enact the scene they saw on screen in to a real life setting. Crimes committed by video games are not rare by any means thus, preventing crimes committed in the first place will be the target focus of this article.
Games such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, God of War, Mortal Kombat, Sleeping Dogs, Bioshock and a multitude of titles are such examples of video game violence. These games focus on beating the enemy senseless with fists or aided by objects. When children are exposed to such violence, their minds process one of two things: either the game act they witnessed is very disturbing or the act is tempting to be mimicked. While most scenes enacted by games are from a fantasy slash sci-fi setting, there are games where it is taken in the real world. Most famously known is Grand Theft Auto. There have been a lot of cases attributed to Grand Theft Auto.
In numerous case studies, a lot of crimes committed are blamed on GTA. Such crimes usually do not lead first degree murder but these crimes lead to hundreds of dollars in property damages. A case in 2008 called the New Hyde Park is a prime example. Six teenagers went on a crime spree destroying a van with a bat and car-jacked a woman's BMW vehicle. In addition, the six teenagers were responsible for causing physical harm to a victim who was mugged before beaten senseless. In court, the six plead guilty and added that it was GTA IV that inspired them to commit the crime.
On a more serious note, gamers are looking at video games as an excuse to commit the crime. The concerns raised with senseless crime is noted by the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). The group urged the games' rating to be bumped up to AO which stands for Adults Only. As quoted, €Drunk driving is a choice and can be 100% preventable.€ Driving while intoxicated is not a game as the consequences can lead to damage, disabilities and deaths. With that said, parents who are aware of their children playing the game are recommended to speak to their children about the topic.
Getting a copy of these games is an easy feat when the game can easily be borrowed from friends or family members. Parents should be aware of the consequences that can threaten their children. As advised by the ratings board, these games should only be played by its recommended audiences. However, if a child or teenager is exposed to the content, parents are required to enforce and remind that these are games. Such acts should not in no way be imitated in real life under any circumstance. Banning the game directly from the child will prompt the child to search for the game, by any means necessary. Talking and raising awareness is one of the more recommended approaches to teaching your child what is alright and what is not.
In conclusion, video game inspired crimes can be prevented. Banning the game directly is not an advised option rather, taking the time to learn about consequences are preferred. Children should be aware from the moment a controller is picked up they are entering a virtual world; where they can chose to be whoever they wish to be and act how they want to act. Once they are aware of the distinguished line between gaming and real life, video game inspired crimes can lessen dramatically. Committing a crime in real life entails loss and deaths. This is a fact that everybody, whether young or old should be aware of. Drawing the line between the virtual world and the real world is imperative when new titles are constantly launched and the temptations to imitate build.
Talk with your child and make sure that they understand committing a crime in real life does not, by any means equal an achievement. It is just a game. Games are meant to be in the virtual setting to provide entertainment, not encourage violence for young minds.
Games such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, God of War, Mortal Kombat, Sleeping Dogs, Bioshock and a multitude of titles are such examples of video game violence. These games focus on beating the enemy senseless with fists or aided by objects. When children are exposed to such violence, their minds process one of two things: either the game act they witnessed is very disturbing or the act is tempting to be mimicked. While most scenes enacted by games are from a fantasy slash sci-fi setting, there are games where it is taken in the real world. Most famously known is Grand Theft Auto. There have been a lot of cases attributed to Grand Theft Auto.
In numerous case studies, a lot of crimes committed are blamed on GTA. Such crimes usually do not lead first degree murder but these crimes lead to hundreds of dollars in property damages. A case in 2008 called the New Hyde Park is a prime example. Six teenagers went on a crime spree destroying a van with a bat and car-jacked a woman's BMW vehicle. In addition, the six teenagers were responsible for causing physical harm to a victim who was mugged before beaten senseless. In court, the six plead guilty and added that it was GTA IV that inspired them to commit the crime.
On a more serious note, gamers are looking at video games as an excuse to commit the crime. The concerns raised with senseless crime is noted by the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). The group urged the games' rating to be bumped up to AO which stands for Adults Only. As quoted, €Drunk driving is a choice and can be 100% preventable.€ Driving while intoxicated is not a game as the consequences can lead to damage, disabilities and deaths. With that said, parents who are aware of their children playing the game are recommended to speak to their children about the topic.
Getting a copy of these games is an easy feat when the game can easily be borrowed from friends or family members. Parents should be aware of the consequences that can threaten their children. As advised by the ratings board, these games should only be played by its recommended audiences. However, if a child or teenager is exposed to the content, parents are required to enforce and remind that these are games. Such acts should not in no way be imitated in real life under any circumstance. Banning the game directly from the child will prompt the child to search for the game, by any means necessary. Talking and raising awareness is one of the more recommended approaches to teaching your child what is alright and what is not.
In conclusion, video game inspired crimes can be prevented. Banning the game directly is not an advised option rather, taking the time to learn about consequences are preferred. Children should be aware from the moment a controller is picked up they are entering a virtual world; where they can chose to be whoever they wish to be and act how they want to act. Once they are aware of the distinguished line between gaming and real life, video game inspired crimes can lessen dramatically. Committing a crime in real life entails loss and deaths. This is a fact that everybody, whether young or old should be aware of. Drawing the line between the virtual world and the real world is imperative when new titles are constantly launched and the temptations to imitate build.
Talk with your child and make sure that they understand committing a crime in real life does not, by any means equal an achievement. It is just a game. Games are meant to be in the virtual setting to provide entertainment, not encourage violence for young minds.
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