• In addition to addressing mental health and guns, congressmen call for violent video games to be put
    83 replies, posted
I'm all for age-restricting violent video games
[QUOTE=Elecbullet;38886911]I must be the only one on Facepunch who isn't absolutely against the idea of violent video games contributing to violence.[/QUOTE] It's a pretty difficult thing to prove even if it is true (which I'm not aware of any study actually showing as more than pure conjecture). Regardless, this legislation, much like the 'assault weapon' crap. It's feel good warm fuzzy filth meant to score political points and make people feel good about themselves. EDIT: I should also add that I am referring to people 16-18 or higher at a minimum. Extreme violence and children is another topic, and that one is a lot more open to debate from what I know.
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;38886968]I'm all for age-restricting violent video games[/QUOTE] We already do that.
[QUOTE=doommarine23;38886978]We already do that.[/QUOTE] To be fair, we really don't enforce that in any way.
[QUOTE=Zephyrs;38886999]To be fair, we really don't enforce that in any way.[/QUOTE] Because nobody wants to be the person who tells parents they suck at being parents.
[QUOTE=Zephyrs;38886999]To be fair, we really don't enforce that in any way.[/QUOTE] Than maybe we should put incentives in place to reward workers in stores who do their job properly, but also put fines and punishments on. We have this problem with a lot of things, like tobacco and alcohol being sold to minors. It's not isolated to video-games and quite frankly, unless we have a tiny camera that watches a worker 24/7 and have someone look at it 24/7, what more can you do? things will slip through the cracks.
[QUOTE=doommarine23;38886978]We already do that.[/QUOTE] we put an M on it and then sell it anyway, nothing is legally restricted like if it were cigarettes or beer maybe a giant "NOT FOR SALE TO CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE" disclaimer on the box or something
[QUOTE=redshift2234;38887015]Because nobody wants to be the person who tells parents they suck at being parents.[/QUOTE] Or because no one cares to do their job properly, or doesn't want to tell you how to do your job as a parent.
Nothing is going to happen. In a month everyone will have forgotten all about the shooting and politicians will drop it because it's too controversial, and everyone will be playing with their new Christmas toys and be too busy making merry.
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;38887019]we put an M on it and then sell it anyway, nothing is restricted maybe a giant "NOT FOR SALE TO CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE" disclaimer on the box or something[/QUOTE] You're already not allowed to sell them to children. There is a reason you hear people say "you're a bad parent" or something of that sort, for buying kids those games. Because the person who buys those M rated games, are the adults. It is a loop-hole. And honestly, what can you do, they can easily lie and say "it's for me, not the kid". What than, do you just let them go?
Wow, responding to an isolated, ultimately insignificant incident by enacting baseless legislation that negatively effects a huge industry and millions of innocent people and blaming it on inanimate objects? That sure does sound silly.
[QUOTE=King Tiger;38887023]Nothing is going to happen. In a month everyone will have forgotten all about the shooting and politicians will drop it because it's too controversial, and everyone will be playing with their new Christmas toys and be too busy making merry.[/QUOTE] Political reality. This happens with other shootings, we pass a few "feel good" laws and not comprehensive gun control laws, and we get another shooting.
[QUOTE=mastermaul;38887036]Wow, responding to an isolated, ultimately insignificant incident by enacting baseless legislation that negatively effects a huge industry and millions of innocent people and blaming it on inanimate objects? That sure does sound silly.[/QUOTE] It is significant because it shows how a mentally unstable person not only has no treatment nor help to become a functional person, but also how easy it is for them to get guns. Of course, instead of improving mental healthcare, improving security, and requiring mental checkups to acquire guns or a gun license, (and perhaps a yearly one). We just ban guns.
I think it's more of the parent's fault for not following the ESRB or PEGI rating and discussing the content of the game with their child.
[QUOTE=doommarine23;38887031]You're already not allowed to sell them to children. There is a reason you hear people say "you're a bad parent" or something of that sort, for buying kids those games. Because the person who buys those M rated games, are the adults. It is a loop-hole. And honestly, what can you do, they can easily lie and say "it's for me, not the kid". What than, do you just let them go?[/QUOTE] the reason most parents buy their kids M rated games is because they don't know what's in it, not because they don't care that their children are going to turn out to be horrible people
i don't generally agree with penn and teller's views because my views aren't aligned with libertarianism but this is an p. good video on the issue of "games vs. violence" because they used several great sources for it [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lq3JdzzzBc[/media]
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;38887055]the reason most parents buy their kids M rated games is because they don't know what's in it, not because they don't care that their children are going to turn out to be horrible people[/QUOTE] -snip- I didn't see the "[B][I]not[/I][/B] because". Sorry, typing up a new response Than we should educate adults and parents on whats in the games and content they let their children see. This isn't unique to games. You get old, you get busy, you put trust in your kid and you become ignorant of the crazy shit their generation does. It's a common thing in society. Perhaps game-stores need to properly show people what the games are, and what content they contain. I know my family doesn't keep tabs on what I do 24/7, nor know what the hell any of my games or music or movies actually are. It's because they're busy and from a completely different generation and a gap there.
boy oh boy Nancy Grace was reporting that his favorite game was DDR You people are acting like you're surprised, give it a rest. This is what it means to ban things.
[QUOTE=POLOPOZOZO;38887098]boy oh boy Nancy Grace was reporting that his favorite game was DDR You people are acting like you're surprised, give it a rest. This is what it means to ban things.[/QUOTE] The hell does that even mean?
[QUOTE=doommarine23;38886952]Whether they do or not, you are ignoring other violent activities such as violent movies, violent books, and violent sports, such as boxing or wrestling. What else can we do as a society? We already have strict laws and age requirements on these games. If people truly wish to buy them for their children, than maybe we should impose better laws on that. But that also gets rid of specific freedoms, if we know our children can handle them. I grew up with violent games and I am functionally fine. Because I was able to handle it and my parents knew I could. What would you suggest? Infact, don't forget too that not just children are crazy, the serial killer was 20+, do you purpose we put a mental exam on a form of entertainment?[/QUOTE] I think the violent movies, books et cetera argument is a tad silly; as a very immersive experience in which you the player are commanded to commit violence, I feel that violent video gaming will probably contribute more to violence in the person (if it does at all).
[QUOTE=mastermaul;38887036]Wow, responding to an isolated, ultimately insignificant incident by enacting baseless legislation that negatively effects a huge industry and millions of innocent people and blaming it on inanimate objects? That sure does sound silly.[/QUOTE] 68% of homicides are committed using firearms. Roughly 32 people die a day due to firearm homicide. This isn't rare.
So first they want to make a bill to demolish the thriving and popular gun industry, and now in that same bill they also want to destroy the thriving and popular video game industry. It's almost as if these politicians want to try to stifle the American economy.
[QUOTE=Elecbullet;38887113]I think the violent movies, books et cetera argument is a tad silly; as a very immersive experience in which you the player are commanded to commit violence, I feel that violent video gaming will probably contribute more to violence in the person (if it does at all).[/QUOTE] Sure, I agree there is a stronger hook and pull, as you control it. But think about it. Let's do a bit of perspective roleplay. You're a crazy person, doesn't matter how. Let's just say you are. Let's use the argument of something like Columbine for a second here. The shooters, Dylan and Eric were obsessive over Doom. They obsessed over it. Loved the violence, one could say. Think about it for a moment. What if there was a violent movie you liked, or this one really violent scene you really really enjoyed? If you're crazy and obsessed over it, chances are. [I][B] It Is An Influence [/B][/I] Anything can be an influence, to normal people and to unstable people. Games might give a stronger pull, but that doesn't stop that a violent book, game, movie, anything, will do that. (The sick irony of being named Dylan with a Doom name and avatar. :pwn:) [editline]18th December 2012[/editline] Arguably, a better argument to put it simple is this. Lock a crazy person in a room with violent gory movies. You will definitely see an influence. Especially if he/she likes those movies.
[QUOTE=doommarine23;38887145]Sure, I agree there is a stronger hook and pull, as you control it. But think about it. Let's do a bit of perspective roleplay. You're a crazy person, doesn't matter how. Let's just say you are. Let's use the argument of something like Columbine for a second here. The shooters, Dylan and Eric were obsessive over Doom. They obsessed over it. Loved the violence, one could say. Think about it for a moment. What if there was a violent movie you liked, or this one really violent scene you really really enjoyed? If you're crazy and obsessed over it, chances are. [I][B] It Is An Influence [/B][/I] Anything can be an influence, to normal people and to unstable people. Games might give a stronger pull, but that doesn't stop that a violent book, game, movie, anything, will do that. (The sick irony of being named Dylan with a Doom name and avatar. :pwn:) [editline]18th December 2012[/editline] Arguably, a better argument to put it simple is this. Lock a crazy person in a room with violent gory movies. You will definitely see an influence. Especially if he/she likes those movies.[/QUOTE] A larger influence was likely the bullying and being a social outcast than violent media.
[QUOTE=Zally13;38887228]A larger influence was likely the bullying and being a social outcast than violent media.[/QUOTE] Sure, I agree those are also influences, very big ones. But violent media is an output and release, and they can be influences. Especially if those bullied children or adults, are already very unstable or have no support. I can understand why a bullied depressed kid who is lonely with no friends, with only violent outputs as his way of coping and no support, would get a gun to end his life or make others suffer with him. (or whatever you wish to interpret it as)
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;38887055]the reason most parents buy their kids M rated games is because they don't know what's in it, not because they don't care that their children are going to turn out to be horrible people[/QUOTE] Or we can just not age-restrict games since that doesn't help accomplish anything anyway
[QUOTE=ButtsexV3;38887055]the reason most parents buy their kids M rated games is because they don't know what's in it, not because they don't care that their children are going to turn out to be horrible people[/QUOTE] Well, that's the major problem, isn't it? Many parents still think that the content in games is going to be for children. The other side of this is that many parents I encounter flat-out don't care what content is in the games, and that's another failure in parenting. I've heard so many excuses: "Oh, all he does is drive around" (Grand Theft Auto 4) "I'm not [I]really[/I] okay with it, but all his friends have it." (Just about anything, but mostly CoD/Halo/Battlefield) "As long as there's no nudity or sex, I don't care how violent it is" I hear the second excuse multiple times a week. It's genuinely disturbing to see such a lack of interest in what their children are doing.
[QUOTE=JeanLuc761;38887280]Well, that's the major problem, isn't it? Many parents still think that the content in games is going to be for children. The other side of this is that many parents I encounter flat-out don't care what content is in the games, and that's another failure in parenting. I've heard so many excuses: "Oh, all he does is drive around" (Grand Theft Auto 4) "I'm not [I]really[/I] okay with it, but all his friends have it." (Just about anything, but mostly CoD/Halo/Battlefield) "As long as there's no nudity or sex, I don't care how violent it is" I hear the second excuse multiple times a week. It's genuinely disturbing to see such a lack of interest in what their children are doing.[/QUOTE] Yeah this too. It's pretty fantastic
[QUOTE=doommarine23;38887258]Sure, I agree those are also influences, very big ones. But violent media is an output and release, and they can be influences. Especially if those bullied children or adults, are already very unstable or have no support. I can understand why a bullied depressed kid who is lonely with no friends, with only violent outputs as his way of coping and no support, would get a gun to end his life or make others suffer with him. (or whatever you wish to interpret it as)[/QUOTE] Perhaps, but I haven't seen any real studies about how violence in media has a noticeable impact on people. My problem would be with glorification rather than the violent acts themselves. For example, grinding for gear in WoW is much more different than killing people in GTA, for example.
-snip-
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.