Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:07 pm
Essay on Violent Video Games
This is just an essay that i have to write for school. I figured i should post it on here to get some creative critiscm. It is due in about 4 day, so the quicker the critiscm the more likely i'll be able to fix it. Thanks and tell me what ya think! (it is quite long though...) 
One in three adolescent boys plays violent video games, while one in ten girls play them. Also, two thirds of parents that play video games with their children believe it has brought their family closer together. Although those numbers seem very high, as they are, the violence within the game as absolutely no affect on the child playing it. It is thought that the video games would have a substantial effect on the many teenagers that play them; video games do not make adolescents violent.
Video games have absolutely no affect on real world violence. It is absurd to think that after playing a violent video game an adolescent will have the urge to go on a neighborhood shooting spree. Many studies regarding the topic have been executed and show that playing violent video games have absolutely no long term effects. In one particular study in fact, it was shown that playing video games may actually have long term benefits (“Health Effects of Video and Computer Game Playing-A Systemic Review of Scientific studies”). In another study, children over the age of ten were evaluated and the evidence did not show any long term effects (Belanger, Craig and Geraldine Wagner). Also, while the popularity of video games increased the overall crime decreased, the exact opposite of what someone against violent video games would think. So if the above statement is true, then why do adults strike at video games for the crime problems? It’s due to the fact that adults are prejudice towards violence depicted in a video game. They may not want their child to play such a game so they strike at it with whatever they can to prevent their child from playing the game, whether they researched the topic or not. “There is no support for links between computer game playing and aggressive behavior” (A. Lager, S. Brenberg). Numerous authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Surgeon General, conducted their own private research and did not find a link between video game violence and real world violence (“Games & Violence”). Does it make sense to think that wars have been started because someone played a violent video game? No, it’s completely incompetent to think that a mere video game has enough power to make anybody become a violent person. Violence has many other causes, a violent video cannot be the sure cause of any amount of crime. In fact, some people have said that video games are not the true problem. “The knee-jerk responses distract us from more important problems” (Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl K. Olson). The above statement is basically saying that the people saying that video games are making adolescents violent are just distracting the world from more important problems that are causing massive issues. To conclude, real world adolescent crime is in no possible way related to the playing of violent video games.
Although there are compelling arguments for both sides, video games not making adolescents violent are definitely standing out as a sure winner. There are theories out there saying that violence in video games affects the brain in a negative way. But there are also cold hard facts out there that are disproving video game violence and real world violence is related. Another myth is that violence in video games helps teach adolescents how to use weapons in an inappropriate manner. This is also false. Although some video games are quite violent, in no video game does it ever teach some one to act that way in real life and carry out crimes in throughout their day. Another myth is that some video games have enough power to completely take over someone’s life. This, sadly, is true…to an extent. Some people may not be able to handle the violence depicted in such games; those types of people definitely should not be playing video games. Some people may be able to handle, but become extremely addicted and that’s all they think about. Those types of people as well should refrain from playing video games. In conclusion, there is a rating system out there for video games and it’s highly suggested that it is followed so people who aren’t ready for such video games are not able to play them.
Although many adults seem to think that violent video games are harmful to their children, some studies show that in fact, they could actually be beneficial. Yes, of course violence in video games nowadays is becoming more and more realistic, however, the video games help to keep the adolescents out of harms way. Now, it could be argued that the violence within the game is desensitizing the child. That may be true; however the violence helps them to realize how the real world truly is. Also, with the help of video games parents would not have to worry about their children going out and doing something they may regret. “The study explains how electronic games may also have potential benefits for young players that include providing children with the opportunity to negotiate society’s rules and roles, allowing children to experiment with aggression in a safe setting without real world consequences, and facilitating children’s development of self-regulation arousal” (Dorothy E. Salonius-Pasternak). Of course though, there have been school shootings in which the shooter was known to be an avid player of video games. Some people, after reading the previous sentence would automatically assume the video game was the cause. Even though many people will think that, there is a very good chance that other variables were included, like drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. The newest video games all of some sort of addictive quality to them, like leveling up, friendly competition, etc. The addictiveness of the game will make the child wish to play it more than maybe going out and doing something highly frowned upon. Some video game systems even have games that require you to get up and move around to complete a task. This helps adolescents to keep active and healthy but still play the video games they love so much. Furthermore, the video games help with children’s brain wave functions. One study in particular proved that video games improve quick thinking skills and other spatial abilities (“Health Effects of Video and Computer Game Playing-A Systemic Review of Scientific studies”). To sum it up, the average adult assumes that video games are the cause for most teen crime, but there are many compelling arguments out there that say otherwise.
To conclude, the evidence for violent video games could go either way. Both sides have their arguments, and both sides of their rebuttals. However, there is absolutely no possible way that video games and violence are in any way, shape, or form connected. Violence in adolescents is not caused by video games.
One in three adolescent boys plays violent video games, while one in ten girls play them. Also, two thirds of parents that play video games with their children believe it has brought their family closer together. Although those numbers seem very high, as they are, the violence within the game as absolutely no affect on the child playing it. It is thought that the video games would have a substantial effect on the many teenagers that play them; video games do not make adolescents violent.
Video games have absolutely no affect on real world violence. It is absurd to think that after playing a violent video game an adolescent will have the urge to go on a neighborhood shooting spree. Many studies regarding the topic have been executed and show that playing violent video games have absolutely no long term effects. In one particular study in fact, it was shown that playing video games may actually have long term benefits (“Health Effects of Video and Computer Game Playing-A Systemic Review of Scientific studies”). In another study, children over the age of ten were evaluated and the evidence did not show any long term effects (Belanger, Craig and Geraldine Wagner). Also, while the popularity of video games increased the overall crime decreased, the exact opposite of what someone against violent video games would think. So if the above statement is true, then why do adults strike at video games for the crime problems? It’s due to the fact that adults are prejudice towards violence depicted in a video game. They may not want their child to play such a game so they strike at it with whatever they can to prevent their child from playing the game, whether they researched the topic or not. “There is no support for links between computer game playing and aggressive behavior” (A. Lager, S. Brenberg). Numerous authorities, including the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Surgeon General, conducted their own private research and did not find a link between video game violence and real world violence (“Games & Violence”). Does it make sense to think that wars have been started because someone played a violent video game? No, it’s completely incompetent to think that a mere video game has enough power to make anybody become a violent person. Violence has many other causes, a violent video cannot be the sure cause of any amount of crime. In fact, some people have said that video games are not the true problem. “The knee-jerk responses distract us from more important problems” (Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl K. Olson). The above statement is basically saying that the people saying that video games are making adolescents violent are just distracting the world from more important problems that are causing massive issues. To conclude, real world adolescent crime is in no possible way related to the playing of violent video games.
Although there are compelling arguments for both sides, video games not making adolescents violent are definitely standing out as a sure winner. There are theories out there saying that violence in video games affects the brain in a negative way. But there are also cold hard facts out there that are disproving video game violence and real world violence is related. Another myth is that violence in video games helps teach adolescents how to use weapons in an inappropriate manner. This is also false. Although some video games are quite violent, in no video game does it ever teach some one to act that way in real life and carry out crimes in throughout their day. Another myth is that some video games have enough power to completely take over someone’s life. This, sadly, is true…to an extent. Some people may not be able to handle the violence depicted in such games; those types of people definitely should not be playing video games. Some people may be able to handle, but become extremely addicted and that’s all they think about. Those types of people as well should refrain from playing video games. In conclusion, there is a rating system out there for video games and it’s highly suggested that it is followed so people who aren’t ready for such video games are not able to play them.
Although many adults seem to think that violent video games are harmful to their children, some studies show that in fact, they could actually be beneficial. Yes, of course violence in video games nowadays is becoming more and more realistic, however, the video games help to keep the adolescents out of harms way. Now, it could be argued that the violence within the game is desensitizing the child. That may be true; however the violence helps them to realize how the real world truly is. Also, with the help of video games parents would not have to worry about their children going out and doing something they may regret. “The study explains how electronic games may also have potential benefits for young players that include providing children with the opportunity to negotiate society’s rules and roles, allowing children to experiment with aggression in a safe setting without real world consequences, and facilitating children’s development of self-regulation arousal” (Dorothy E. Salonius-Pasternak). Of course though, there have been school shootings in which the shooter was known to be an avid player of video games. Some people, after reading the previous sentence would automatically assume the video game was the cause. Even though many people will think that, there is a very good chance that other variables were included, like drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. The newest video games all of some sort of addictive quality to them, like leveling up, friendly competition, etc. The addictiveness of the game will make the child wish to play it more than maybe going out and doing something highly frowned upon. Some video game systems even have games that require you to get up and move around to complete a task. This helps adolescents to keep active and healthy but still play the video games they love so much. Furthermore, the video games help with children’s brain wave functions. One study in particular proved that video games improve quick thinking skills and other spatial abilities (“Health Effects of Video and Computer Game Playing-A Systemic Review of Scientific studies”). To sum it up, the average adult assumes that video games are the cause for most teen crime, but there are many compelling arguments out there that say otherwise.
To conclude, the evidence for violent video games could go either way. Both sides have their arguments, and both sides of their rebuttals. However, there is absolutely no possible way that video games and violence are in any way, shape, or form connected. Violence in adolescents is not caused by video games.
Ex-Expert--Server 110
You don't quit haypi...haypi quits you...but too bad haypi never quits.
You don't quit haypi...haypi quits you...but too bad haypi never quits.
I went through and fixed the typos and such. I'll let everyone know what I get on it as soon as I know 
