A spokesperson from Mothers Against Violence (MAV) recently appeared on BBC Radio for a debate about violent videogames.
As recounted by EuroGamer, the MAV representative put the onus on parents to control what games their children are playing, saying, “I'm not directly blaming games, I'm blaming parents.” The spokesperson also suggested that parents band together and educate their peers on the issue of violence in games, stating, “It just takes one of us to spread the word, to plant the seed.”
The spokesperson then expressed “fears that violent games were ‘desensitising’ children who are ‘becoming complacent and think they're invincible.’”
Eurogamer wrote: “A broader point made was that many parents, despite age-ratings on packaging, don't pay attention to the games their children are playing, not (sic) are they aware of the negative effects they could have.”
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Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
As recounted by EuroGamer, the MAV representative put the onus on parents to control what games their children are playing, saying, “I'm not directly blaming games, I'm blaming parents.” The spokesperson also suggested that parents band together and educate their peers on the issue of violence in games, stating, “It just takes one of us to spread the word, to plant the seed.”
Even if parents don't look at the age rating & they don't care, then what makes anyone else think that parents that don't care or even put parental controls on the games can will plant the seed in other parents' heads?
The spokesperson then expressed “fears that violent games were ‘desensitising’ children who are ‘becoming complacent and think they're invincible.’”
Video games are not the only form of entertainment to desensitize kids, it is everything else they are exposed to in the outside world that will desensitize them. Plus kids that get into their teens that don't play video games already think they, themselves are invincible. Games don't have to add to that.
"It's better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you are not." - Montgomery Gentry
Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
I think violent games definitely play a role in the minds of children and adults, but the remedy is simple, show your kids it's fantasy. Yes, my daughter is desensitized to me blowing away zombies in left for dead, but she has a clear grasp of the difference between a 3D model and a human being.
The problem is parents are just plain lazy. A violent video game might spark a momentary idea, but it's the lack of overall parenting involved in a child's life to where they have a healthy view of society that gives the spark fuel to burn.
They buy these games and plop their kids in front of them and act helpless when it comes time to control them. When I grew up with Coleco and 8-Bit nintendo, my parents wouldn't even let us play during the week so we'd focus on school and would check out every game I owned all the way until I was 16.
Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
“I'm not directly blaming games, I'm blaming parents.”
Finally, someone is starting to get it.
The spokesperson then expressed “fears that violent games were ‘desensitising’ children who are ‘becoming complacent and think they're invincible.’”
Oooh, one step forward, two steps back.
Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
It's been said before, but it seems to me that, as my generation ages, this is going to be less of a problem as most parents will be gamers themselves.
And then most people my age will find a new form of entertainment to scapegoat and blame for whatever's wrong with kids by then.
I'll do my best not to be part of that cycle.
Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
Damn cybernetic implants making our kids hyper-violent...
Actually, a brain implant could potentially do that... clearly I need to be less rational about this scapegoating business.
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Chris Kimberley
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Chris Kimberley
Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
In other words 'people are raising their children differntly then I would raise mine'
Ah power. That is what I see here.. someone wanting to be powerful, and power over how other people raise their children is one of the bigger forms.
Re: Anti-Violence Group on Games: Parents Must Get More ...
"Becoming complacent and think they're invincible."
They can´t blame games for that. If parents don´t teach their children about responsability and buy them everything they want, of course they will grow complacent. Games are just a circumstance, not the cause.
“A broader point made was that many parents, despite age-ratings on packaging, don't pay attention to the games their children are playing, not (sic) are they aware of the negative effects they could have.”
Sadly, again, this is parents´ fault for being lazy and expect that the rest of society to rise their damn kids. The same mentality that make them believe that TV is a free nanny.
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