There has been much commotion lately about violence in video games. The problem that most people are having a hard time dealing with is the fact that little kids are playing these violent games and being exposed to things that they maybe shouldn’t be at their fragile age. Granted what should or shouldn’t be viewed by children varies throughout each household, which is where the question comes up:
Who is to blame for a child being exposed to violence?
A recent article in the LA Times suggests that the parents are to blame, and I couldn’t agree more. For those of you who don’t know, I’m a parent and a life-long gamer. I don’t plan on cutting my hobby out of my life because of my children either, so I expect they will want to play video games as well when they get a little older. However, the content will need to be censored for them. They’ll need to know wrong from right, and they shouldn’t be able to play whatever games they want. So apparently the government feels the need to step in and tell my kids what’s right, because I’m incapable of controlling my children. I mean, the only way they won’t play these games is if they can’t legally buy them… Right? Hell no! My children will play the games that I tell them are fit for their age and no one else can control that but me. That’s right, I am the one to blame if my children are exposed to violence, it’s as simple as that.
Parents are getting lazy these days. They want any way to point the blame elsewhere, so if they screw up it’s not their fault. Well it’s time gamers, publishers, and developers stand up for the games they love. It’s time that the courts recognize that you are not a murderer simply because you play games that allow you to kill people, and you are not a thief because you play games that allow you to steal. Laws are starting to pass through the judicial system (see Jack Thompson’s latest) that may do more than limit the sales of violent games to minors, they might even have a way of stopping the development all together if it gets out of hand. These bills are no longer being laughed out of the court and gamers need to take notice.
But that brings me back to the main point: parents are to blame. The LA Times has it spot on when they say:
“Parents don’t need a law to urge makers of video games to strengthen their current voluntary ratings systems. More important, they don’t need permission from a legislator or judge to keep an eye on what their children are doing — or playing.”
So to all of the gamers out there who are parents like me, you already know what your children should be playing and at what age. Do you really think you need the government coming in and playing daddy or mommy for you? Now to all of you parents out there who don’t understand games and can’t handle your own children, quit pointing your finger every where else, because everyone already knows you’re a bad parent.
I’d like to stress again, I would like to see some gaming parents feedback on this topic, because you’re the ones who can speak most passionately about it. But as always, any and all feedback is welcome.
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