Topic of debate as most chosen by LPA members. The influence of violent, sexual, explicit games, movies and music and their impact on society as it stands today. We see more than ever cases of this in the paper, boys doing wrestling moves on eachother and on girls, teenagers killing and stabbing etc.. eachother because they seen it on a film, a famous case bein the Blade case, and the theft of cars blamed on the game Grand Theft Auto, and actions based on lyrics in songs, as seen in eminems song Stan, and so on, media related issues are playin a heavy part on society..or are they? What are your views and opinions?
We were just discussing this in French class the other day. I don't think violence in the media will have much impact on anyone unless they're already psychologically warped. There are so many reason as to why kids re-enact the stuff they see on TV and in videogames. Some probably have a poor relationship with their family and friends. Hell they might not even have any family or friends. Or maybe they weren't brought up properly because how a child thinks and interprets the things he/she sees in the media is mostly, if not entirely, up to his/her upbringing. If they were taught by their parents to act responsibly and realize the difference between fantasy and reality, then chances are they won't be imitating stunts from 'Jackass' or 'Backyard Wrestling'. So the amount of influence that violent and sexually explicit material has on young people is really determined by their own psyche. On the other hand, the media could be more responsible when churning out violent video games and TV programmes. How many kids these days AREN'T going to be exposed to Jackass or Dirty Sanchez? There are a lot of programmes out there (not that I'm criticizing them because I watch them too sometimes) that contain an insane amount of violence and sex, so much so that it's completely gratuitous and pointless. There is no aesthetic value to it and most of the time it's just aimed at people who're thrilled at the sight of blood, gore and naked flesh. As unrealistic as it sounds, they should really tone it down and have the viewers' discretion in mind. Having said, my 11 year old cousin is addicted to stuff like that. He has tons of video games that proudly boasts "100% violence, gore and swearing" on the packaging and I can see the effect it has on him. That kid is really coarse grain. :wth:
I think part of it comes down to age. When a 16 year old beats up another kid, people love to blame violent movies/video games/music. But I think that's a bullshit excuse not to look at the real problem. No one wants to blame the parents, teachers or peers, so they say "Oh, it's Marilyn Manson, it's the violent movies." But obviously, a 16 year old should know better how to redirect his or her anger. But little kids still live in a a little bit of a fantasy world. They see thier superheros, their anime fighters, whatever, and want to be like them. They imagine spinning and kicking and beating up their "enemies". That said, I don't think that ultimately, violent video games/music/movies cause violence. It's when parents don't regconize and react to their kids becoming violent that it turns into an issue. Really little kids will hit, scream, punch, because they don't know what else to do. As they mature, they grow out of it. But they don't grow out of it on their own, parents need to ingrain into their brains at an early age that violence is bad. So, to sum it all up, while I think violent video games/movies can "inspire" kids to hit/kick/punch, etc., their family situation and the morals they're brought up with have a much greater effect.
Yes, what they said. Ultimately, it's the individual's choice to follow a made up scenario in a game or movie, proving that the individuals doing this are nothing by over-impressionable morons.
I remember there were two teenagers who killed people and Grand Theft Auto was blamed for it. I think it's stupid to blame games. While they could give the idea to people to do certain things, the fact that they did it shouldn't be blamed upon the game. If anything, the people surroudning those two teenagers are to blame. Where were they when those two got those guns and killed those people? Also, those teenagers should of know the concequences. And if they didn't, again, the people in those two's lives are to blame for not teaching them what is needed to know.
Anyone who's mature enough and sane enough knows right from wrong. They know that even though they may score points in a game for killing the most people, they know not to do it in real life and won't do it. They know that videogames are fantasy and entertainment and nothing more. So, don't let little kids and mentally insane people play games and that solves the problem. And saying that games teach kids how to use weapons is the biggest load of bullcrap. There's a huge difference between using an XBox or PS2 controller and using an AK-47.
Firstly - If a person wants to go out and kill people/shoot people/fight people, that's not a video game's fault. That's the person. If someone is emotionally unstable, they should be monitored as to what they watch Now, myself, I play all kinds of violent video games. I watch crazy violent B-Movies. I've even seen real-life videos of shootings/decapitations/assaults/autopsies and the like. All it has done to me is provide entertainment. I do not get the urge to go killing people after playing Hitman. I do not get the urge to steal cars after playing any Grand Theft Auto game. I don't want to go cut someone up with a chainsaw after watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Probably the most hatred for these violent video games and movies come from parents and older people. We are still advancing as a global society, and as the 21st century rolls on, we are hardened more and censorship is becoming less and less. People are living in the past. In the past morals were strong, but these days - face it, morals are eating it. Big time. What people have to realize is that things change, and they are changing. Drastically. For the better or for the worse? Both. With the internet being a prime means of communications and free speech, people are beginning to see more and more of the hard facts of life. The nitty gritty - the flesh under the skin (sometimes literally). Back to the point... Video games are not violent to make people want to do things. Therefore, people should not have impulses to go kill people or commit crimes based on a gaming experience. It's not the games, its the people. "And everybody's like 'what were they listening to, was it the movies, was it the music, was it the tv?'. What were they listening to, who cares what they were listening to, what the f*ck was Hitler listening to?! - Why can't they just be crazy" - Chris Rock And Chris Rock is exactly right. Video games and violence on TV do not make people crazy. Some people are crazy, and we cannot help that. These people should be kept away from such content. ----------------------- The Media ----------------------- The media is the worst. As you obviously know, we look to the media for news, information and answers to our questions. With the majority of the media being adults, they like to look upon things like video games and movies as an answer for nearly everything. Take a look at the Columbine shootings. Did you know that they tried to pin it on the video game Doom? Why? Because one of the shooters made reference to his gun as 'Darlene', the same name the character in Doom referenced his weapon. Now take a second to think - it would be easier to just say that Video games did it, and drop the subject. I even agree, if I was asked for an answer, that would be a likely explanation. However, just because they mentioned something about a video game doesn't mean the video game made them want to go shoot up their school. Just like the girl who was a fan of Linkin Park who was cutting herself. Who do we blame - Linkin Park. If I were to shoot myself in the head right now, Linkin Park would be blamed, do you know why - because LP is easily associated with me. It would be a fast and simple answer. Point being, you can blame anything for a tragedy or event, but that doesn't always mean that was the cause. Keep that in mind. Thanks for reading. (This is the longest damn thing I've ever typed on here - it felt good )
while I don't let video games affect me, I've always wanted to taser someone since I saw it in a video game awhile back. I think video games, and the media in general, put chaotic & destructive ideas into our minds, but it's ultimately our decision if we act on those ideas or not.
exactly. thats what i think as well, but put in simple and not confusing words. i guess we all agree so far.
There was another case that my friend told me about, it was like a kid killed his family because he thought he was in the Matrix.....
do you know how old the kid was? besides, why would the kid kill his family? even if it was the matrix, the family doesnt do any harm...
id say it was very odd and unpredictable. wtf? why kill your family?... they werent the bad guys or whatever.