Kids and violent computer games

I live in southern California and one of our state legislators is introducing a bill that prohibits the sale of violent video games to children. He claims to have some research that shows a link to violent behavior. He also says that some of these games are based on the same simulated training used in the military and police training programs. I do not know if this is true or not. It seems to be common sense that this could cause a tendency for violence but I am not sure. My nephew, 8 years old, plays these games often. I have observed his behavior shortly after playing a violent video game and how he interacts with the other kids, he is more aggressive. Just my anectdotal observation.

I have 2 children, 6 and 3 with another on the way. I will not allow them to play violent games. Why take the chance when there are so many other things for them to do? As for seeing an increase in violent behavior I am not sure. When I worked in adolescent psych (7 years) back in the early 90s there was plenty of violence without the video games so don't know if there is a correlation. I would just think there would be.

I do not have evidence if these games are harmful, but I suspect they are. If you are worried about your son playing them- do you think your mother's intuition is telling you something?

I knew a very wise man. A young college professor who told me " Be careful what you subject yourself to." I often think back to these words when I am tempted to watch, read or do something that may not be a good thing for me. Since my brain has a memory- If I choose to subject it to something that is not good, I run the risk of forever keeping that experience in my brain, and perhaps accessing that information even when I do not want to. Then I have to work at keeping that memory from influencing or bothering me. Seems better just not to subject myself to certain things. A violent video game on the surface seems harmless enough, but of what value is it to your son?

I know this sounds corny but I always made my kids get involved in sports and charity work. They have computer games but never play them. They are also not avid TV watchers because they enjoy more personal contact with people and tend to enjoy activities that involve team work or team play. They are both very creative and will write poetry, or songs, or make crafts, or learn how to fix things when they are bored.

These are just some experiences and beliefs that I hold true for myself and my kids Pam. You know your son better than anybody else and I certainly do not think that just letting your son play violent video games makes you a bad mom. And since your older children are "good kids" you must be doing alot of things right.

My husband and I are both a part of the video game generation. We still play games now. I am generally a very easy going loving person, but when I get stressed, it's nice to blow off steam by blowing away someone with an RPG or a flame thrower... But I am an adult, and when I was a kid, the violence was not graphic (the graphics were barely graphic ).

I do know that SOCOM and SOCOM II were developed in cooperation with the Navy and are basically used as a recruiting tool (a very profitable one). The Army is in the process of developing one based on the war in Iraq.

I am not a parent, but I am a violent game player (the games are violent, not me). As such, I recommend that kids under age 13 should not be anywhere near these games. If a kid is immature, then possibly up to 15 or 16. I don't believe young children have the ability to seperate the fantasy from reality when the fantasy is so real (and with the increasing technology, it will only get more real).

There are studies for everything, and for every study showing one thing, someone can come up with a study contradicting the original. Some studies show that children learn violence from these violent games or cartoons, etc. On the contrary, I recently heard of a study showing that it wasn't the violent games causing problems, because the kids understand the games are fantasy, but rather news programs which show real life violence. Having said this, I doubt if I'd expose my child to these games if I didn't have to, but if they were exposed I'd make sure to discuss with them what they saw and clear up a few things.

My attitude about things which might or might not negatively affect my child (and there is no clearcut answer) is: why risk it...after all it is my child?

I'm kinda wishy washy about it. When the older boys are playing it, it's hard not to let him play too. I do have some games for him that are more age related though. I was just kind of wondering from a psych nurse perspective if you all have seen any evidence of behavior associated with these games.

Again, thanks.

Pam

Originally posted by psychrn03

There are studies for everything, and for every study showing one thing, someone can come up with a study contradicting the original. Some studies show that children learn violence from these violent games or cartoons, etc. On the contrary, I recently heard of a study showing that it wasn't the violent games causing problems, because the kids understand the games are fantasy, but rather news programs which show real life violence. Having said this, I doubt if I'd expose my child to these games if I didn't have to, but if they were exposed I'd make sure to discuss with them what they saw and clear up a few things.

My attitude about things which might or might not negatively affect my child (and there is no clearcut answer) is: why risk it...after all it is my child?

I think this is the OP's best answer to her question. I can remember how Ozzie Osborne was targetted for contributing to the suicide of a troubled teen. The accusation was that the teen shot himself while listening to Ozzie's music and that Ozzie should be liable. The case was thrown out.

I don't believe media, music or video games make kids violent. I believe reality makes people violent. Pre-adolescent kids do know the difference between fantasy and reality, unless they have some more serious underlying condition or problem going on.

Still, I don't believe the video games that are extremely violent are a good choice for a 10 year old. If your gut says no, then it is no, as a previous poster stated. My grown sons play some of the most violent video games, but I wouldn't have allowed that to be happpening before 16 or so. The games of today are much more violent than they were 10 years ago and are meant for adult players, not kids. Also, I always was there to talk to my kids about what they were watching rather than outright trying to ban it. I found that they would just go somewhere else to watch the movie or play the game. I prefer they did it at home so I could talk to them about the content of what they were watching. As always, open dialogue works well with kids, IMO.

I can tell you with much confidence that anecdotal info from my practice shows children experience nightmares from playing these games.

I will not allow a system in my home, which is an unpopular decision with my 10 year old. The main reason for this is I want him to go OUT AND PLAY.

So what does he play? Fort, War, Pirates etc. all of which involve weapons of every description .

I do not have any concrete links or anything but my aunt who is a detective sergent with the St. Louis PD called me the other day and asked me if I allow my 8y/o to play any of these games. She stated that she had just been at a conference on the links between these games and violent crimes committed by children. I do not allow my son to play any of this type of game but I do allow my 13, 15, and 18 y/o nephews to bring them and play them when my son is not in the room with them I think its more a question of maturity and ability to seperate fact and fiction. JMHO