As a fairly avid gamer I’ve been aware of the debates the past few years concerning the need to censor certain types of “violent” video games. I know there’s also been a good many powerful people involved at times, from Hillary Clinton to Jack Thompson to Joe Lieberman. I also know that on March 20 an opinion piece was published here about how video games “set a scary example.”
Now, I’m willing to buy in a little bit here and say that some games aren’t great for kids to play. Is “Grand Theft Auto” appropriate for a 5-year-old to play? Probably not, but that’s not the main issue. Almost any form of media, or any person for that matter, can set an equally bad example for kids out there; however, we can’t protect all of America’s youth from all of pop culture.
What video games are really becoming to all of America is an easy scapegoat. Whenever a kid gets into a fight, we’re quick to blame “Mortal Combat” or “Grand Theft Auto;” who’s to say that violent tendencies don’t arise from something as simple as cartoons? We can’t say. Fundamentally what we’re looking at here is another classic nature versus nurture battle. Many people may inherit violent tendencies genetically, and some may be heavily influenced by the actions of others. If someone idolizes Athlete X and then X goes and commits a couple of felonies, isn’t looking up to an improper role model worse than being “inspired” by a violent game?
The saddest thing about this whole “video games are evil” debate is that really we’re generalizing millions of games with a few hundred that spark up controversy. Would somebody out there want to clump “Finding Nemo” in the same category with an X-rated film? Games, like movies or TV, can serve many different functions; and yes, as I mentioned, they can be educational. You know where I learned many of my problem-solving skills from as a child? Playing “Zelda.” I found out about Norse mythology and vocabulary through “Final Fantasy,” math and stat-keeping through “Madden.”
As much as many adults want to label games as a “waste of time,” in moderation, many of them can be useful for young kids. Yes, exercise and a healthy diet are also important, but everyone, regardless of age, deserves a little time ever so often to stretch their creativity.
With the rise in technology since I was a kid (in what seems almost like forever ago), there are even more opportunities for kids to learn. In addition to picking up basic reading, history, and problem-solving skills, there are games out there designed to teach kids fitness (“Wii Fit,” “Dance Dance Revolution”), foreign languages (“My Spanish Coach”), and creative design (“Drawn to Life,” “Viva Piñata”). Even some of the more generic action-adventure games can be safe ways for kids to socialize with one another. As adults, online games present a wonderful sense of community.
As mere individuals, it’s impossible to that any one of us can protect someone from being negatively influenced- it’s going to happen regardless of whether or not “Grand Theft Auto” is available for sale. All we can do is create an environment for ourselves and future generations to expand our horizons and relax from time to time.
I realize I’m coming into this debate with a major pro-geek bias, but we can’t have it both ways and laud video games while criticizing only the violent ones. Violence and sex will always exist and should always exist in entertainment; we have no right to prohibit someone from their creative expression. There are just as many (if not more) fun and creative games available for young audiences now as there has always been.
So turn off the worry buttons. We can only do so much to make the future safe. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to do some “Half-Life 2” and “Rock Band.”
Matt Carter is a senior creative writing, journalism and Asian studies triple major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].