Video Games & Violence by Helen

Do violent video games affect today's youth?

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 01:41:57 UTC

In my opinion, I believe that violent video games do affect the youth in a negative way. It desensitizes gamers to violence as these groups of people are accustomed to the scenes of gore through their often usage of the previously mentioned form of entertainment. And the result? It causes adolescents to have a rather gruesome imagination.

Video games include a system called Levels where the player has to gain experience in order to unlock new aspects of the game. In violent games, one can gain this experience mainly through defeating the enemy team through any means possible. Once they have successfully reached the next Level, the players are rewarded. Therefore, when looking at the subject in an unbiased point of view, one can see that the game is applauding players for their murderous acts in the virtual world. After being praised by their fellow gamers for their achievements in the violent game, the player may find that killing is not as intimidating as they thought. As they become increasingly obsessed with the game, they will be witnessing death everyday which alters their mindset so that they are less sensitive to brutality.

Introduction to Video Games

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 02:00:10 UTC

Video games, as many know, are a popular and varying form of entertainment used by a large majority of the youth. In fact, 97% of children aged 12-17 play video games which makes it a multi-billion-dollar-earning enterprise. Genres of these addictive games vary from adventure to simulation and even to violence.

To learn more, visit the following sites:

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 02:10:42 UTC

http://videogames.procon.org/#Background

http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/general/media-web/violentgames.html

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/violent-video-games-create-aggression-but-they-do-cause-kids-to-commit-081415#1

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 02:40:55 UTC

Why are violent video games played?

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 02:55:31 UTC

Video games can have an unapproved influence on people depending on the way it is used. For example, there are people who play for the fun of it and there are some who use it as a reliever; I find that both of these reasons are troubling. Firstly, for someone to find the death of others to be interesting shows that they have a lack of empathy; likewise, when realizing that these violent games are played on an almost everyday basis, we will see that some find these types of games to be addicting. To me, being addicted to watching people be shot down and murdered is not a fun experience, but others see differently. Moving on, everyone has a way to vent. For some, it may be through writing, and for others, it may be through screaming. However, I find that using violent video games as a way to vent is not only unhealthy for one's mental state but also worrying.

Think of it this way: someone is taking out their anger through killing in a virtual world.

Now, we, as people, should wonder what would happen if these types of gamers get frustrated by the public. Would they resort to video games to solve their problems or go on a killing spree, this time in real life?

Learning from Witnessed Violence

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 02:56:27 UTC

Repetition is a major part of the layout of video games. As many know, to learn things, one must constantly practice to improve. In games that include violence in its concept, repetition can be identified as the players are constantly unlocking new weapons and killing others. Therefore, as gamers continue to participate in these "addictive" activities, they memorize the basic skills of the bloody game.

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 03:06:00 UTC

Conclusion

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 03:14:16 UTC

Overall. I have learned that video games do desensitize one's reaction to violence, but it does make them more aggressive; however, there is no proof that it results in violence.

It is believed that violence results from video games when other factors are involved: "The APA report went on to say that no single risk factor consistently leads a person to act aggressively or violently, but rather it is an accumulation of risk factors that leads to the aggressive or violent behavior" (Albanese, Violent Video Games Create Aggression, But Do They Cause Kids to Commit Crimes?) Therefore, violent video games are actually only a variable that can result in violence when combined with other aspects such as stress.

"Video Games Don't Cause Violent Behavior"-

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 03:35:49 UTC

Former FBI profiler: 'Video Games Do Not Cause Violence'

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 04:03:04 UTC

Call of Duty: Black Ops Reveal Trailer

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 04:12:35 UTC

In this violent video game trailer, there are multiple scenes where explosions are destroying cities, and people are being shot through the player's point of view.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Everything gets a bit violent (Trailer)

helendang21004 — 2015-10-17 04:27:32 UTC

In this video game, there are multiple forms of violence. For example, it shows people's bodies being impaled by stakes and someone's head being cut off with a sword.