I’m terrible at most video games, although I have to say I totally rock Guitar Hero. I can’t get enough of that. My sister has Rock Band and since we don’t live in the same city, I haven’t played yet, but I can’t wait to get my hands on those drumsticks.
There’s a new book out called Grand Theft Childhood that talks about the real effects of video games on kids. I think it’s interesting because I know a lot of parents worry that violent video games are making kids violent but this author says it’s not true. Here’s the part where I am supposed to say what I think…but the truth is, I don’t really have a lot of experience with video games so I’m still figuring out what I think about them in general. My husband LOVES (yes, the whole word is capitalized) video games but he’s also a really balanced person and understands the difference between the real world and the world of gaming. So maybe that’s the risk. That when you’re really young, you can’t decipher between the two worlds?
With the new Grand Theft Auto game just out (I can’t even escape all the ads everywhere – they’ve spent a fortune advertising it) this book is pretty timely.
I’d love to hear what you think. Do you think video games are scapegoats for violent acts? Or do you think violent video games should be banned?
One Comment
My sons, ages 18 and 21, have been playing video games forever, many of them violent and they are 2 of the most non-violent kids you could meet. People are just always looking to place blame somewhere else. I think, if anything, that violence on TV and movies, are worse, because there kids are just passively soaking it up.
There is a book written by Steve Johnson called “Everything bad is good for you” which talks about the complexity of video games challenging individuals http://connectwithyourteens.blogspot.com/2008/03/is-popular-culture-good-for-you.html