Are voilent video games dangerous for children?

Answer 1

YES. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

Answer 2

If this whole debate is about GTA4 then the question or project is wrong. I have no problem with children (teens) playing violent video games it lets them separate fantasy from reality. The content of drug use and prostitution is something they don't need to be exposed to. I've got a co-worker that is planing on buying this for his 9 year old son and it is just disgusting to me that there are parents out there like that.

Answer 3

Video games that show blood and cruel mean situations are more harmful than others....my son is limited to which ones he can play, and we talk frequently about the game, that's it's just a game, we talk about good vs evil etc. Simply because a game has some violence, such as kung fu fighting or a weapon does not mean it will have the negative effects that the more graphic ones do.

Answer 4

I think anything in excess is dangerous, including violent video games. I also think some kids are more susceptible to violence then others.
You can use statistics to prove anything you like but ultimately it comes down to the individual child and parental responsibility.
If a parent sees that their child is doing something that's having a negative effect on them (withdrawn and moody, more aggressive, etc) then they need to step in.
I have three boys who do play violent video games (Halo 2, Splinter Cell.. etc) but if they start acting out what they see from their video games or from some movie they've seen, then it gets taken away permanently. They are not allowed to sit in front of the TV for 16 hours out of the day and play game but when I've banned them all, they just played at their friends house.
My children have never been in trouble with the law, they're not violent and they have excellent hand/eye co-ordination. They know these games are not real and they still have empathy for others, which is one of most dangerous parts of continously viewing violent or agressive programs. We play the 'what if' game so I can get a better understanding of how they view other people. "What if you seen a woman screaming at her husband and he slapped her?" or "What if you seen a woman wearing lots of expensive jewlery and she dropped a $100.00 bill as she was getting out of her Rolls Royce?" for example. It's just a way to give me peace of mind that my children aren't going to snap one day and do something crazy.
Cain certainly wasn't playing violent video games or watching violent movies when he killed Abel.
You get out of your kids what you put into them. If you give them violent video games and never install morals or self responsibility in them, then you're going to get a violent person back.
Violent video games can be dangerous for some children.

Answer 5

Yes, studies show that violet games, movies, and music have negative effects on children. The military uses war games to desensitize their men and women so that they don't freak out while in battle.
Just like learning how to treat people and what is and is not acceptable by watching you, you kids will learn form games.

Answer 6

No, as long as the child is old enough to understand it isn't real (5ish) then they aren't harmful. Kids didn't copy Tom and Jerry in the 20s and they won't copy Grand Theft Auto. Very young kids may copy what they see, but older kids know the difference. Video games, fairy tales, and other flights of fantasy give people a chance to experience and try out things that real life wouldn't otherwise afford us. They give us a chance to feel hatred, revenge, mortal fear, as well as catharsis. Video games, fairy tales etc are good for people, try it.

Answer 7

oooh you so knew this was a contreversial topic when you asked it =]

I had to do an assignment on it when I studied Media at School! There's so many good arguments...There's people who haved proved that when children have seen something they will copy it (see reference) but whose to say really...

Its the whole "If I told you to jump off a bridge would you do it?"

"no"

"If I shot someone in the head on Grand Theft Auto would you do that"

"...."

I dont know Im divided =\

Answer 8

Yes, they can copy what's going on in those games and do it in the real world. Not knowing or understanding that it really can hurt someone. Creates a sense of violence in a child.

Answer 9

violent videos desensitize us.

I bet most people didn't shed a tear for the 30 that died at VA tech. Not that we weren't saddened and disgusted by the whole ordeal, but we've all become so desensitized to violence.

Answer 10

most children can't differenciate btwn reality & fiction...young children babies to even about 10yrs...they know the difference cartoons & reality, but not when someone gets shot. most of the time when someone gets shot in games they come back, but they don't realize that in real life when your shot your shot!! have you been watching the news lately! lots of violent children, even teens......when you see them in custody or in interviews they are always sorry that it happened, & feel guilty. my answer Yes! violet games are dangerous for children!!!!

Answer 11

Ya i think that it put bad images into there head and they want to do what the video game is doing