Paediatricians, not to be mistaken for kiddy fiddlers, have apparently established an irrefutable causal link between media violence and untoward aggression in children.
The American Academy of Paediatrics claims that "The evidence is now clear and convincing: media violence is one of the causal factors of real-life violence and aggression," particularly outing the music industry for glamorising sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and violence.
They do also take stabs at visual media – TV, movies and videogames – saying that "the associations between violence on screen or in games and real life aggression are nearly as strong as the association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer."
Quite a shocking claim indeed, but don’t get too worked up about their claims though – unlike other advocacy groups they’re not militantly seeking an end to all violent media. Their recommendation, which I thoroughly agree with, is that parents pay a little more attention to the media their children are exposed to. What a shocker! Parents should take responsibility for their own children?
They do have some recommendations for the entertainment industry as well though;
- Do not glamorize weapon carrying.
- Eliminate the use of violence in a comic or sexual context.
- Eliminate gratuitous portrayals of interpersonal violence.
- The pain and loss suffered by victims should be shown if violence must be used.
- Music lyrics should be made easily available to parents so they can read them before purchasing music.
- Video games should not use humans or other living targets and points should not be awarded for killing.
- Violent video games should be limited to age-restricted areas of arcades.
Read more, over at ABC News
Last Updated: October 26, 2009
Someone
October 26, 2009 at 12:49
They always talk about kids playing games that have sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and violence in them.
These games are always rated 16+ or 18+ so why are they playing them in the first place.
Like you guys said.
I blame the parents.
-But then again its easier point fingers and blame others than look after their own children.
koldFU5iON
October 26, 2009 at 13:23
“Video games should not use humans or other living targets and points should not be awarded for killing. ” -damn what’s the point then :/
Nick de Bruyne
October 26, 2009 at 14:30
Keep quiet Agent of Death!
Q121
October 26, 2009 at 15:05
“Video games should not use humans or other living targets and points should not be awarded for killing. ”
Yes you should lose points every time you kill me 🙂
:pirate:
Werner
October 26, 2009 at 18:56
“The pain and loss suffered by victims should be shown if violence must be used.”
I can just see it, every time you run over a pedestrian in GTA it automatically cuts to said pedestrian’s family standing next to his grave.
Every time you kill a Locust, same thing… can you imagine
Chris
October 29, 2009 at 19:26
This is the most ignorant thing I have heard.
Never once after playing any game have I wanted to go shoot a guy or smoke IRL.
This is just a way to blame someone other that the true culprit, parents and industry.
If you don’t want your kids to smoke, don’t bring cigarettes into your home.
If you don’t want your kids to grow up to be violent, then dont raise them in a hellish enviroment.
And if you want to blame video games for any of this, here is an Idea, DON’T BUY THEM FOR YOUR KIDS.
Andrew
October 29, 2009 at 19:37
Anyone who’s raised a child and watched and paid attention to how their attitude changes when exposed to these games will agree that they are harmful. Of course, what Chris says is right. You don’t like, then don’t buy! If only everyone were so responsible. Shoot em up games should be allowed for 21 and over. :ninja: