The Effects Of Video Games On Youth

In terms of violence in E-rated video games, I believe it's up to the parent to decide whether or not their child could play the game. Most E-rated games are either sports and racing games so there's not that many violent moments during the game. Of all the E-rated games they studied, 21.3 percent of games have animated violence, which is a lot tamer than realistic violence. For example, both Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, while they do have violent moments, are less violent then Grand Theft Auto or Gears of Wars. Now there is a new rating which is E10+ and it's for anyone who is 10 years and older. Again, it's the parents job to know which game is suitable for their child and not buying them whatever game they see on the shelve.

Parental advisory is a big part of these games. In this new generation of video games, players can blow up enemies and rip them apart. Games are so realistic that some

Video games, since their creation have been a great source of controversy in regards to their effects on mental health and influence on violent crimes. Games have been created over thousands of years ago and have excited generations. Virtual games on the other hand have not existed for over a hundred years, but have made major media controversy over the intense gore in many uncensored video games. One huge standout is the classic known bloody graphic fighting game Mortal Kombat that made the “ESRB” or rating system to show who is mature enough to play this video game. The newest ratings for video games would be represented with an “M” for mature and only 17+ people could purchase copies of those video games with that symbol on the game. Mortal

The marketing team will design a new branding label with less offensive graphics that create the only assumption of violence. The rating label will be taken in consideration related to all the studies. A new minimum age identification and purchase program will be enforced. As for violent movies when the game is trying to be purchased it will ask if the person is above a certain age before the purchase is able to be completed. If the customer appears to be under the age, they will not be able to buy the game. “According to the ESRB, the video game ratings system is voluntarily, but nearly all video games sold in stores carry an ESRB rating. “Many U.S. retailers, including most major chains, have policies to only stock or sell games that carry an ESRB rating.” Molina, B. (2013, January 18). Otherwise, they will be sent back.

A violent video game is defined as a video game where the range of options available to a player includes killing, maiming, dismembering, or sexually assaulting an image of a human being (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2010). For many years there has been increasing concern by the general public, policy makers and social scientists as to whether or not violent video games have a negative influence on the behaviour of youth. With the popularity of the gaming culture growing dramatically amongst children and adolescences; the marketing of violent video games to youth has become increasingly successful, allowing such games to become more easily obtainable regardless of age (Anderson et al 2007). Consequently, the increase has raised the question of exactly what impact exposure to these highly graphic games has on the younger generation; resulting in a range of research and studies to continue to take place on the subject. It has become the norm in most modern societies to associate violent video games as a considerable cause to the violent and aggressive outbursts of youth (Ferguson 2010). Some even go as far as connecting some crimes committed by young people as a result of their exposure to violent video games. While others claim there is no link between violent video games and negative youth behaviour; some suggesting that violent video games have a positive impact on the behaviour of youth.

Similar to movies, video games also have a ratings system for games. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is the company that looks at video games and gives it an age restriction based on its content. The ESRB rates over 1000 games per year. It looks at factors like the amount of violence and abusive language. It is said that less than 40% of parents understand the ESRB. For instance, the rating M stands for mature, only seventeen and above can play. Today, more than 70% of children under the age of seventeen have played M rated games. One of the biggest examples that demonstrate that parents ignore the ESRB is Grand Theft Auto V. Grand Theft Auto V has managed to break sale records. A salesman in japan says that out of the first

The object of the game is the run over screaming “gremlins” with a car and they will turn into gravestones. The “gremlins” resemble stick-figure humans. It was also reported that the working title of the game was Pedestrian. After the games Mortal Kombat and Night Trapp Was released in 1993 Congress held a hearing regarding to the regulation on the sale of video games. California Attorney General Dan Lungren testified that the violent video games have “a desensitizing impact on young, impressionable minds". Threatened by the creation of a federal regulatory commision the video game industry voluntarily established the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) on September 1, 1994 to create a rating system. The rating system contains “Early Childhood,” “Everyone,” “Everyone 10+,”Teen,” “Mature,” or “Adults Only.” But shown in the Pew Research Center 2008 survey, fifty percent boys and fourteen percent girls ages from twelve to seventeen listed their top three favorite games that had a rating of “Mature” or “Adults

Whenever there is a mass shooting in the United States, it doesn 't take long before society suggests violent video games might be to blame. Video games have been culprits of crime today to many eyes in America. Just about anyone in most modernized countries has heard the claim before, placing the blame on a video game, music or television for the violent acts seen in their youth today. There is no link to violence on video games. Typically, these trends seem to pop up when we are referencing school shootings, gang related crime and other domestic terrorist acts done by our youth. It is too easy to quickly blame something like a violent video game for their behavior.

In the 90’s there was even enough media attention to video game violence that the United States Congress had a hearing on issuing age appropriate labels, much like in movies, to video games to warn parents of the contents of a game. Each of these matters have only helped further tarnish the reputation of video games, and draw worse misconceptions about them.

In addition, high rated movies and games were found to be easily accessed by under-aged children. Furthermore, different ratings systems for each medium (television, movies, music, and video games) make the ratings confusing, because they have little similarity or relationship to one another.

According to CNN, 90% of America’s youth ranging from eight to sixteen year olds play about thirteen hours of video games a week (Saidi and Gross). Video games have become such a prominent part of our society and have affected viewers in a negative way through the countless violent acts portrayed throughout the games, promoting violent behaviors among the youth in our society.

Although 40% of parents say they always check game ratings before allowing rent or purchase, only 1 out 10 teens say that their parents check the game that they play. Also, even though mature is only one rating away from being AO (adult-only), according to www.pbs.org, nearly 25% percent of all children from the ages of 11 to 16 recognize a mature-rated game as among their favorites. Nevertheless, studies have shown that from playing these violent video games, potential detrimental effects can occur on younger gamers (Gentile, Lynch, Linder, & Welsh 2004).

Parents and government officials alike believe that extensive participation in playing violent video games can cause psychological harm and influence aggressive behavior. Does it really? Many psychologists challenge this idea by using scientific research for backing. There has been much controversy over the topic and a lawful debate in California over who is allowed to have access to such vicious content. On the yes side(damage occurs and behaviors are influenced) of the argument is Steven F. Gruel, who stresses the importance of regulating the release of negative or “damaging” media, specifically violent video games, to minors. On the opposing side is Patricia A. Millett, who believes there is no concrete correlation between violent video games and aggressive behavior or cognitive damage. Neither is right or wrong because a great deal of psychology is built upon theories that have been strengthened through extensive experimentation. Nonetheless, studying the effects of violent video games on psychological health and behavior can help narrow understandings of how what humans perceive influences how they think and behave.

Mature-rated, or “m-rated,” video games have become extremely popular. Violence, blood, sexual themes, profanity, substances, and gambling are all contents that can qualify a game as, “mature-rated.” Purchasing a mature-rated game has a requirement of being at least seventeen years of age. Even though this is a requirement, many underage children easily have access to these kinds of games. It is argued that playing these violent video games can cause more aggressive behavior in children. Mature-rated video games are responsible for a rise in youth violence because it teaches children to associate pleasure and success with their ability to cause pain and suffering to others, and overall sets a bad example for children when their minds are still expanding.

Controversy about video games continue to escalate between parents and gamers, regarding the psychological effect of simulated, realistic, and 3D violence on the minds of young children and growing teenagers. Yet, research shows that video games contribute very little to today’s everyday violence, despite complaints and concerns that games influence a child’s normal behavior. Technology is a way of life in today’s world, computers are used by toddlers, adolescents, and adults alike. No matter what career path a person chooses, the computer plays an essential role in the job. The more our technology progresses and as our industry grows stronger, computers and electronic entertainment will grow to be found everywhere around the world. This includes videogames.