Daniel Petric, shot both of his parents, used the video game defense.
The hottest topic these days regarding video games and children is Daniel Petric, pictured to the right. Petric shot both of his parents after they took away a video game from him, Halo 3, and then later used that same video game as a defense for his psychotic behavior.
Can video games really cause your children to lose their mind and commit heinous acts of violence?
The answer is no.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Henry Jenkins wrote an essay directly related to video game myths, and one of those myths is that violent video games can turn people into killers. He states, "no research has found that video games are a primary factor or that violent video game play could turn an otherwise normal person into a killer." The essay also debunks myths like, video games lead to isolationism, no girls play video games, video games train to kill, and that children are the only ones who play games. You can read his full essay, complete with sources backing up his claims, here.
So what leads kids to commit random acts of violence when influenced and or taught by video games? Nothing. Let's get that straight right now, that video games do not influence children to become murderers. Yes, a video game could become a factor to someone who's already leading down that path, but so also could a movie or music album, but if you're raising your children the right way, they won't go down that path.
What games are right for my kids? As an avid video gamer myself, I tell you as parents to join in with your children and their video games. Nothing would seem cooler to them. Not only would you learn how harmless what they're playing is, but you would also be spending some quality bonding time with your kids. Now, that's not an indication to go out and buy them whatever game they want, here's a helpful Youtube video on the ESRB rating system that's been put into place to help you, the parents, decide what to let your child play.
The fact is, the first defense against video games you deem inappropriate is you. The ratings system is in place. A great recommendation is to rent a game before you buy it, so you can see your child play it, and you can try it out. You can also limit the amount of time a child is on a video game system.
Video games help children and young adults manage stress. The Massachusetts General Hospital performed a study, in which the findings stated that video games help children manage emotions. Cheryl K. Olson, ScD, co-director of the Center for Mental Health and Media, and a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, lead author of the study states, "We hope that this study is a first step toward reframing the debate from 'violent games are terrible and destroying society' to 'what types of game content might be harmful to what types of kids, in what situations?' We need to take a fresh look at what types of rules or policies make sense." You can read the full article on the study, here.
Comments
I have to agree with your article Mr. Arrey.
The video games are not at fault. As a parent of 4 children myself I would have to say it is the parents responsibility to raise the child and always take full responsibility for their actions until they are adults, regardless. Now granted as a parent you can do everything in your power to raise your child right and sometimes bad things just happen. Sometimes it's in the DNA, sometimes something in them just snaps, regardless...it's not the video games or the musics fault...it just happens.
I agree with your article as well. You have a great point. kids really should stop blaming the media for their actions. Great Article!!!
Anything and everything a person encounters or experiences, has an effect on that person, they are influenced by it. The question is, how will it influence them. For example, if a person listens to rap music, and is constantly listening to them braggin about selling drugs, being with women, making money...will that person be influenced to commit illegal acts, be promiscuous, or influenced to become an entertainer, and thus successful that way?
If a person constantly sees their mother abused as a child, this will affect them, for one, because they become accustomed to seeing violence, but how will it influence them? Will they become as the abusive parent, or will they make it a point to do the exact opposite and become the best spouse ever-or somewhere in between?But to assume that any of these stated things (or anything for that matter), has absolutely no affect on one whatsoever, is ridiculous. The human mind is not capable of completlely removing information from it's databases, on
once you know something, you know it, it's a question of what you do with it.
Anyhow, again, good find, and thank you.
P.S. Just FYI, many a time, the people who get chosen to conduct these studies, are "greased up", if you will, they are paid (under the table), to make logical arguments why there product is not harmful, 'cause obviously, that's "bad for business". I assure you that Bill gates (Microsoft, whatever), had their hand in this guys back pocket. The same reason were still using gasoline instead of cheaper, ecologically better substitutes, and tobacco compnies can sell poison, is not 'cause there not harmful or there isn't better substitutes (than gasoline), it's becasue they have LOTS of money, and can keep all those opposers quiet, and those lawmakers happy.
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