Rated M for Mature: November 2012

We need to face the fact that children experience examples in media every day that they should not be subjected to. The most prevalent and probably the most controversial example would be mature, violent video games. Children can have fairly easy access to these games. Whether they get the games from their older siblings or from their parents buying the games for them without knowing the content of the game, children are still being exposed to images and simulations far too mature for them. Children who play violent video games are ticking time bombs waiting to explode at any second. Violent video games cause aggression to rise in children over time. Outbursts and tantrums are a very common effect from varying violent visuals. Mature video games need to be kept from the hands of children. Video games have an age rating for a reason.
I have a firm belief that children should not be allowed to play mature video games. Perhaps that is because I have seen the results of this issue first hand. A few years ago, my nine year old cousin started playing video games that were a melting pot of death and destruction. After a short while of him constantly playing these games, I started noticing that every little thing would irritate and anger him. He would throw tantrums and punch his older brother and I when we would take the games away from him. We realized that the situation we were in was not a very pleasant one. I saw a problem rising, so I sat his mother down and explained what was happening. Once she realized what he was being exposed to, she took away the games. My cousin stopped throwing tantrums and beating on people when he would become upset with them. Informing my aunt of what was going on really helped us dodge the bullet that could have brought disaster along with it. The best way to avoid a problem is by killing it at the source. That is why violent video games should be kept from children.
Violent video games are known to cause changes in a person’s mental state. These changes that occur are a deadly mixture of lethal toxins and venom. Craig A. Anderson, PhD explains that almost immediately after being exposed to some video game violence, aggressive thoughts increase, aggressive emotions increase, heart rate may increase as well, and new forms of aggressive behavior are learned (Anderson 7).The effects of viewing violent visuals are apparent in both the physical and mental beings of a child. Also, “exposing children and adolescents (or “youth”) to violent visual media increases the likelihood that they will engage in physical aggression against another person” (Anderson 3). If exposing youth to violent visuals causes them to become more aggressive, then why allow them to play violent video games?
Viewing violent media is a very harmful experience for a child to have. The emotional changes that occur in the child’s mind are limitless. For instance, “media violence also produces an emotional desensitization to aggression and violence” (Anderson 10). Usually people have a negative response to aggression and violence. A child who was exposed to media violence would think that real violence is a normal occurrence. These children would have no emotional response to aggression, which is not good. This means that the children could go throughout life thinking that violence is a solution to their problems. This problem is easily preventable, and it needs to be avoided.
People may argue and say, “how can we be sure that it is video game violence causing aggression to rise?” Well, research shows that the emotional responses happen in everyone who is exposed to the media violence. Research also shows that certain types of children are more prone to act on these aggressive emotions. There are certain types of risk factors that that would cause the chances of the child acting on the aggressive thoughts. There can be biological factors, family factors, neighborhood factors, and many others (Anderson 15). The more risk factors a child has, the more likely he or she will act out of aggression. So, violent video games should be kept away from children in order to keep them from developing anger issues.
Violent video games are poison to a child’s frail mind. The violence portrayed in these types of games causes anything but a good effect. The consequences of exposing children to violent visuals could range anywhere from future emotional problems to actual acts of violence and re-enactments of what they view. Is it really worth allowing children to have some “fun” for a short period of time if the long-term effects are so disastrous? Violent video games need to be kept out of the hands of our children so future generations will not have to suffer the repercussions of our ignorance towards these violent visuals.

Anderson, Craig A. "Violent Video Games And Other Media Violence (Part I)." Pediatrics For Parents 27.1/2 (2011): 28-30. Health Source - Consumer Edition. Web. 5 Oct. 2012.

Rated M for Mature

Friday, November 16, 2012

Rated M for Mature

Monday, November 12, 2012

Works Cited

Rated M for Mature