Do you agree that kids behaviors are link to violence in tv and video games?
By Augustta
@Augustta (1850)
Poland
May 7, 2007 1:13pm CST
Exposing young children to violent and inappropriate video games cannot be good especially when most parents do not care much for it. I have always thought going outside on a sunny day to play sports is definitely better than staying at home to play these games.
A lot of the times, parents basically abandon their children to complete chores or work and they buy these video games for kids to keep the kids entertained (which gives the parents time to do other things).
Children have different personalities so parents have to treat them differently (not necessarily one better than the other). Some children can grow up watching violence on television and still be peace keepers while others can become agresive. Parents need to understand their children before deciding whether to buy their kids those kinds of games.
I've taken a psychology class and heard about that experiment. It involved some scientist that put kids in a room and let them watch a video of an adult beating up a clown blowup doll. Then, after watching the video, the kids just starting beating the heck out of the doll. They imitated the same thing they saw in the video.
I think that kids should be censored from things like that. I am sure it would be a little scary if you are sitting down with some little kids and they say they "Will kill you with a knife" if you don't give them a cookie or something. Parental influence is also a factor. We can't just say its games and tv.
What do you think?
(I am sorry if this subject was already in discussion but i don't search to see if here is same post...)
21 people like this
50 responses
@admtahoe (10)
• United States
7 May 07
Absolutely not, this is the most ridiculous thing I believe I've heard in the last 10 years. Movies, TV shows and Video games are made because there is a need for them. If these things weren't making millions of dollars or being watched and getting good ratings then they would not exist. When a movie makes millions of dollars that is telling me that they sold millions of tickets. But yet I haven't seen millions of kids on the streets killing people. There are some bad seeds and everyone likes to blame it on media and video games, its just a cop-out. Be responsible adults, monitor what your children watch and do and quit blaming society for inadequate child bearing. I play violent video games and watch violent movies. I have yet to kill anyone.
Finally if you don't like what is on TV then turn the channel, or take the game away from the child or don't buy it to start with or don't go to the movies, but please let the rest of us enjoy our life and entertainment without interference from these people.
2 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
8 May 07
Very well stated. Most of us grew up watching something that could be deemed as "violent"; whether it was Bugs Bunny or The Magnificent Seven. There has always been violence in movies, tv shows, and even games. These things alone won't turn someone into a killer or an abuser. There is far more to it and it's time some realized that instead of looking for a quick thing to blame.
@GergOnline (399)
• United States
7 May 07
I honestly do not believe it is linked to those. kids in the uk, even in canada, all have the same kind of violence in there games, and movies, and tv, but their murder rates in their countries are WAY lower than here in the united states.
yea those kids dd what they seen on the video, but their parents are supposed to be there to tell them that it's bad and they shouldnt do that.
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
7 May 07
I agree completely...I'm from Canada and my kids were raised there until we moved here and yes they watch all the violence, slasher flicks, psycho movies....they play violent video games like Grand Theft and Mortal Kombat etc etc but like you said (and I did in my post as well) I've always been there to teach them whats right and whats acceptable, whats real and whats "hollywood"....And you are right we have the same games/movies etc in Canada and the violence in teens and ppl overall isnt nearly like what it is here in the U.S
2 people like this
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
7 May 07
I believe as long as the parents teach their kids that you shouldn't act out anything you see on television or in a video game, cause it's just fictional and doing such things in real life can get a person in big trouble, that the kids will grow up to be law abiding individuals, no matter how much violence they are exposed to.
I grew up playing games such as Resident Evil, Cops & Robbers sort of games, the mob scene type games, and watching things such as; Stephen King's It, the Godfather movies, and many such movies that contained violence, gore, and what have you. I'm not warped, nor do I have tendencies to go out and kill someone or do bad things. My parents taught me that do such things would be bad, and I could end up in prison if I were to act out the things I saw on television that had something to with any sort of violence.
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
7 May 07
There is so much filth on tv nowadays it is sickening! I do believe that it influences children and their behavior. Parents need to be careful about what their children watch. There is so much ugly language and violence on tv now. Children should be playing outside, reading, doing homework, praying, going to church, school, etc. Shows on tv today are terrible!
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
7 May 07
Just because a child plays video games/watches movies and tv doesnt mean they dont do other things as well....I know alot of kids, including my own who love to read/write, play outside/ride their bikes and skateboards, shoot hoops and so on.....and of course kids who are ONLY playing vid games etc instead of other things like homework and outdoor stuff...its the PARENTS FAULT not the childs...so even looking at it how you are its still the parents to blame not media by any means..
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
10 May 07
How is the media to blame? its not their responsiblity to monitor our children...My kids watch all sorts of violence on tv, swearing etc etc and they are terrific kids...Why? because as a parent its my job to teach them the difference between right and wrong as well as real and make believe...its not the medias job, its mine and solely mine...
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
8 May 07
The media is to blame as well as parents who let their children watch such filthy crap on tv. The media is only interested in ratings, etc. They, for the most part, do not care about what children may be seeing and absorbing from what they are watching. Parents need to be careful as to what they allow their children to watch.
@ZaffireWolf (480)
• United States
7 May 07
Hello, Jack Thompson. While I think it's just boring, stupid video games that support violent tendencies, statistics apparently show that playing video games does NOT increase violent tendencies. Of course, too much of anything is ALWAYS a bad thing. But in the case of video games, occaisional playing apparently can hlep develop motor skills and stuff like that. Then again, I may be biased cause I learned to read, count, know left from right, perception, things like that from playing video games. Keep in mind many kids these days are the offspring of the hippie or yuppie generations, so obviously they'd be predisposed to violence and other debilitating behaviors for that reason alone more than any other.
1 person likes this
@paradisesuns (1754)
• United States
8 May 07
I agree and disagree with this.I would say I agree that the children are being exposed to violence on a major level.It has become normal to see and hear things on television that you wouldn't have imagined years ago.And some of the games that are out now are unbelievable as far as violence.I would say though that even watching the news is exposing our young to violence.We seem to have too many nut cases running around nowadays.So all a parent can do any more is teach their children the best they can about right and wrong and guide them as best they can.The main teaching and guidance should start in the home.
1 person likes this
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
8 May 07
I totally and completely believe that kids are affected by violence they see on TV and in video games. I am amazed everytime I see my son do something exactly as he just saw someone do it when I know it is the first time he ever saw it (he is only 2). They pick up things so quickly and they don't have the ability to know that it may not be a good thing they are copying. Parents really must step up and pay close attention to what goes into a childs mind. They are so easily influenced.
1 person likes this
@abhish70 (54)
•
8 May 07
I think violence is found not only in kids but also younger generation.It is all due to the effect of the movies ,television and the games. These thing have gone deeply into their behaviour as can be seen from the increasing incidents of violence in our day to day life.They try to copy what they see in the movies which results in violent characters as most of the movies show violence.Parental influence is a factor but the children are also influenced by their friend's behaviours as they spend more time with them.
1 person likes this
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
8 May 07
Hi Augustta, I think violent in tv and video games can trigger off behavior problems in children, Im speaking on behalf my own nephews and then his parents wonder wheres this all coming from... So yes I kind of agree on this to a certaint point...
1 person likes this
@douhaveitinu (63)
• India
8 May 07
u are very right to say that children are becoming violent after playing games.actually this all happens because of lack of proper attention by the parents.if the parents give enough time to their children they won't go for these ganes.allowing them to play with friends outside can also be agood option.but another thing which i find that these games make their minds sharper and also an inner confidence grows in them.
@joice86 (1078)
• Philippines
8 May 07
Yes, i agree with you that children behaviors are caused of tv and video games. Children learn a lot of things easily. They are curious of things and try almost everything that they see which is scary. If you are the parent, and you just let your child watch those things, then you might be ready for the consequences that might happen. Your child can turn out to be a violent kid. So you must be very careful in raising up your child.
1 person likes this
@castleghost (1304)
• United States
8 May 07
I do think that allowing your child to play violent video games and watching violent tv programs has a negative effect on children. My own children aren't allowed to watch violent tv programs like wrestling. Kids will be kids an you do see mine fighting every once in a while but normally when you see my children physically fighting it is with one of their cousins who is allowed to watch such programs. I also don't agree with parents who buy their children violent toys either.
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
8 May 07
For all of you American parents out there. There have been studies in Japan on video games and their effects on children and there were no signs that these children where agressive or mentally unstable. There were however improvements in their abilities to put objects together and operate certain objects and technological devices. My brother and I have played video games since we were children and we were not violent or agressive. My brother, in fact, was a very smart young man. His SAT and ACT scores were at the top or the charts and he knew computer technology inside and out. I too know how to operate computers and devices better than a lot of people that I know and it is because of my knowledge with video games.
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
7 May 07
No, i don't believe that for a second. I think it is how the parents raised them. My boys grew up playing video games and watching violence on tv but they are the most sensitive kids around because i taught them to look at others through their shoes and think how they would feel before you act.
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
8 May 07
I think it depends on the child, parents and situation. Everything in moderation is my first point-don't let the kids sit there forever give them a short time limit to play, then find something else to do! Next I think it's important to decide based on the child and the personality of the child. For instance, it might scare a child to see that kind of behavior, or if the child already has issues acting out or violently, I dont think it would be a wise decision to sit them in front of grand theft auto (just using it as an example!) or anything like that. Also the parents BEING THERE in the SAME ROOM with the child is also important. That way they can explain things to the children while it's happening. Personally I don't let my kids play violent video games, but that's my decision. I think to each their own though and that most parents make the best decisions for their children, because they know them better than anyone else. Now for the parents that use tv and videos as babysitters so they can do whatever they want, is wrong. My kids watch some stuff on TV that might be a little violent (cartoons, spiderman the movie) and I try and make sure my agressive son has someone with him while watching, or I have an alternate activity for him depending on how I think he would do.
1 person likes this
@Sherry12 (2472)
• United States
7 May 07
Parents need to really watch the ages recommended for the games. Some children are too young to understand the difference between the games and real life. Like on the games if they see someone shot and then getting back up, they don't realize that doesn't happen in real life. that when someone is shot, they don't just get back up. I, agree, playing outside in the fresh air with friends is much better.
1 person likes this
@andersod2 (17)
• United States
8 May 07
There's no doubt that violence affects everyone, especially kids. All the studies have proven conclusively, though, that there is no greater factor of influence than parents.
1 person likes this
