Video Game Violence
by Cynthia Gould
CBS 42 News
2007-11-14 20:00:00.0
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As we draw closer to the holidays, many of you will be rushing out to toy stores to pick up what ever video game is all the rage these days. The ratings on these games say one thing, but is it enough?
Do you really know what's in the game your kids are playing? We gave some parents an eyeful of what's in some games that should never be in the hands of children.
To call this brand of violence bloody is an understatement. But did you know a mature rated title was really as graphic as the game box tells you? Even some parents we showed footage too were absolutely stunned.
Games like Manhunt and Conan not only take violence to a new level, but also the nudity and adult themes. The parents we talked with couldn't believe it.
"If a movie had this kind of graphic content, it would have an x-rating and be shunned by most anybody," said parent Bruce Thomas.
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And as graphic as this material is, these games are getting into the hands of children.
Dr. Dale Wisley is a clinical psychologist and student services director for Mountain Brook Schools. He says these games can have even stronger impact than violent films.
"In the video games for the most part the person is playing a role and is acting vicariously in violent behavior and we think that's a much stronger influence," said Wisley.
Dr. Wisley is also the president of the Alabama Psychological Association. He tells CBS 42 there's no direct scientific link to violent games and child behavior. But it doesn't mean there isn't a connection.
"The video games are much more interactive, almost by definition they're first person perspective forces the person playing the game to identify with the aggressor," said Wisley.
Now the ratings system is fairly easy to understand: “E” for everyone, “T” for teen. Then there's mature, which can not be sold to anyone under the age of 17. That said, kids are being exposed to popular but gruesome games like Jericho, Conan, and most disturbing, Manhunt 2 for the Nintendo Wii system. In this game, you physically mimic murderous tactics.
It's a bothersome dilemma.
"Your child could actually learn how to be a murderer," said parent Dr. Glenda Brown Wade.
We sat down with some parents and showed them some images we can't show you in air. They were horrified by what they saw.
"The sound, the graphic...it's like I can feel the lick," said parent Lynn Bobbs.
"For parents that might go out and buy it for their child, this is some wicked stuff going on in this," said parent Marcus Dowdell.
Ultimately, these moms and dads, as well as psychologists, agree that it's up to the parent to keep this kind of material out of their children's hands, just like any other hazard.
"You have to know what the kids are doing, who they're doing it with, and it's the same way with this," said Thomas.
Something to keep in mind...many stores actually ask for identification before selling a game to a consumer.
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