Does violence in computer games harm children?

Does violence in computer games harm children?

OPINION

Violence in today's society is an overwhelming and everyday problem. We see it on television, in the movies, in magazines and even during our every day live as we drive to work. We can not get away from seeing violence constantly on the evening news. The

Computer technology has advanced to the point where the rendering of graphics now rivals what Hollywood could only dream about 15 years ago. This technology is put to vivid use in such games as Grand Theft Auto and other violent shoot-em-up crime and war based computer games. The days of shooting a stick figure slowly walking across an amber computer screen are gone. We now have the capabilities to show in fine detail the killing and dismemberment of extremely realistic looking non-human and human figures. This violence comes complete with splattering blood and woefull cries of pain. We can now turn our computer on and go on a killing spree that was unheard of in days past.

The question this writer would like to pose is this. Does all of this violence that children of today are exposed to while playing computer games make them grow up to be mass killers, rapists or other kinds of violent criminals? In this reporter's opinion the answer to that question is no. Violent computer games are not the sole reason children go out and commit violent crimes. Some people in the political arena would like to make us believe that computer violence does corrupt children and turn them in to murderers. They say computer games should be banned or given an R or X rating. Well, my fellow computer gamers, these politicos are wrong. Computer games are not solely to blame for corrupting our children’s minds and for turning them into killing machines.

Two organisations that are trying to help parents determine whether a game or movie is suitable for their children, are PEGI (Pan European Game Information) and ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). Both organisations have created a rating system that, supported by symbols and content descriptors, tell buyers what to expect from the game they're buying, before even opening the box. They can also help retailers decide not to sell a particular product to people under the recommended age. Just like alcohol though, kids will find a way to get their hands on the games. The main difference is, that the computer they'll play the game on is usually in the home, giving parents a chance to take action. The ratings do help, but there's more to this than meets the eye. It's not the games that corrupt children, the problem lies much deeper.

I feel that the main reason children commit any type of crime is because of the breakdown of the family unit and because of the lack of family taught values. Many children grow up in a one-parent household or one where both parents have to work to put food on the table. The kids' only role model is the guy on television telling them how rotten things are. I grew up in a family in which we were taught to respect other people's property and to value life. This writer’s opinion is that today's parents are too busy doing other things and do not have enough time to teach their children the proper and respectable way to live their lives. It is not anything's or anyone's fault but our own. People need to take responsibility and face the fact that it’s the parents fault and not the games that corrupt. Parents must take time teaching children proper values and restrict and monitor what children do with their spare time.