The debate whether video games cause violence is raging particularly in the United States where an outstanding 60 percent of Americans play these games habitually, out of which 32 percent are above the age of 35 (Physorg.com).
Those in favor of violent video games contend that fantasy and violence are integral parts of our life, which we tend to manifest in the form of storytelling. Video games therefore express our dreams which are purely figments of our imagination. Such games are nothing but communicated thought. For example, a person who dreams of flying will mentally perceive the fantasy quality of video games like ‘Lost Planet’; a person who wakes from a dream involving scary things will mentally perceive the emotionally purging quality of video games like ‘Grand Theft Auto’ . In both cases, the imaginary scenes provide us mental impressions and involvement without compelling us to undertake daring or risky feats such as leaping from a high point. Video games are not tools that have the ability to transport our imagination into the real world; there are merely weak imitations of the genuine, providing help and relief to those who are apprehensive and unable to comprehend this selfsame world. Distorted individuals do not play video games to gain or increase knowledge of violence – the violence is already inherently present in them. Accusing video games of inciting violence is similar to declaring that one who reads the Bible will only do good deeds and is incapable of bad actions.
Another argument in favor of video games is that a long-term study conducted in June 2005 by acknowledged expert on the influence of video games playing, Dmitri Williams, found that the players’ “robust exposure to a highly violent online game did not cause any substantial real-world aggression”; the players neither increased their argumentative behaviors after game play, nor were significantly more likely to argue with their friends and partners (Physorg.com).
Those who condemn violent video games contend that playing such games stimulates the brain for aggression. A chilling example is the 2003 fatal shooting of 3 persons by 16 year old Devin Moore in Fayette, Alabama – an action reportedly caused by Devin’s unnatural obsession with the GTA video game that he played constantly (Smith). In their first argument, those against violent video games cite a 2001 study of college students in the United States. A group of students who first played an aggressive video game, and then confronted each other in a feigned challenge, showed more aggressive behavior towards each other as compared to another group of students who played a non-aggressive video game (Medical College of Wisconsin).
The second argument against violent video games is based on solid scientific information. In a study conducted in May 2005 on 13 subjects aged between 18 and 26 in Germany, a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) system provided images that showed the subjects’ brain displayed “large observed effects,” which is a feature of aggressive thoughts; the researchers, led by Rene Weber, stated this finding is neurobiological proof that violence in video games does spawn aggressive repercussions such as aggressive knowledge acquisition, aggressive results or aggressive actions (Kanellos).
In conclusion, I find the arguments against violent video games more potent that the ones in favor of such games. I feel my stand gains strength from Dmitri Williams’ contention that his study findings were not totally convincing, admitting there was a need for more long-term studies until which time it would be inappropriate to make strong predictions (Physorg.com). The hype over violent video games has reached such a level that even sex workers have warned against the threat of violent video games against children, specifically targeting GTA ‘San Andreas’ in which rape is not only strongly inferred, but the prostitutes in the game are also in danger of being killed by the protagonist (Haines).
References
Biggs, John. “Why Video Games Don’t Cause Violence.” Crunchgear.com. 2007. Web.
Haines, Lester. “Prostitutes Demand GTA Ban.” The Register. 2006. Web.
Kanellos, Michael. “Violence in Games Stimulates Brain for Aggression.” CNET News.com. 2005.
“No Strong Link Seen Between Violent Video Games and Aggression.” Physorg.com. 2005. Web.
Smith, Tony. “Grand Theft Auto Firm Faces ‘Murder Training’ Lawsuit.” The Register. 2005.
“Video Games: Violence & Broken Bones.” Medical College of Wisconsin. 2001.