Should children be allowed to play violent video games?

1. 64

   Joan Kingposted 13 years ago

   Should children be allowed to play violent video games?
   
   Do you believe, as some say  that violent video games breathe violence in children? Should one blame video games for violent behaviour or does the behaviour have to do primarily with family values or personality?
   
   

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2. 67

   Jacksmack316posted 13 years ago

   I don't believe video games are to blame. Heck the way the world is today you may see worse walking down the street in some places. It's not about what they're exposed to so much as how they're taught to handle it. I mean there is still a limit to what a child of a certain age should be aloud to be exposed to in excess, but in the end if we teach that killing people and stealing cars is wrong, and that violence only brings more violence everything should be fine. If you have a doubt they can do without, parents need to remain in control.

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3. 59

   wolfshadowposted 13 years ago

   I mostly agree with Jacksmack316. With so much saturation of violence in our culture, it doesn't make sense to just remove one facet and leave all the rest. It's the parents responsibility to set morals and teach their children how to behave. Most kids know the difference between fantasy and reality, and for those that can't seem to distinguish the line, they need a lot more help than just removing violent video games.

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4. 71

   lburmasterposted 13 years ago

   I think it is a good family activity. My cousins always gather each christmas to see who is the best at each game. My father and brother play all the time. It's a bonding experience and it keeps friends together if your child is home schooled. I see no issues with young males playing Call of Duty or Skyrim.

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5. 69

   AM Hansonposted 12 years ago

   I strongly believe that violent video games do NOT result in violent children.  I played Mortal Kombat, Starcraft (with all its hilarious death animations), and countless D&D based computer games as a kid and I'm extremely non-violent and non-confrontational.  What children need to know when they play these is that violence is not a way to solve problems and that you cant just gun down someone who doesnt agree with one.  One of the things I love about rpgs is that, even in a game as gory and violent as the Fallout series, there is often a peaceful way around things through use of diplomacy skills, which teaches kids to use words not violence.

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6. 75

   JohnGreasyGamerposted 12 years ago

   I don't blame video games for violent behaviour. As I've said many times before, I blame bad parents and stupid kids. For starters, video games are much more carefully monitored now. It is against the law to sell a game to someone under the age rating, and many stores take this seriously. Hence why GAME and Gamestation are under administration (well, one of the reasons anyway). If I see a 12-year old holding Battlefield 3, I can tell you it's the parents who are to blame right away.
   
   But that's just a stereotype, to some extent. Exposure to excessive violence can turn people into secret sadomasochists - the blood, torture, humiliation and screaming can do a lot to a young mind. And if it doesn't disturb them, it twists them.
   
   Want proof? Check out a single paragraph from 8MM, starring Nicholas Cage "it doesn't exactly turn you on, but it doesn't exactly turn you off either". Let that set the tone for what you'll experience.

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