Should violent videogames be banned?

[mike3]

Hi.

I saw this in this thread:

http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8895383#post8895383

That's because it is insincere. In fact, his entire shtick seems to be to ask a leading question (can video games ever in any way have the slightest influence in violence ever). Then when people refuse to fall for it he dishonestly reports that they said no rather than the truth that they largely answered yes but saw through his "trick" and made sure to answer in a way that derailed his little equivocation game.

implying that the answer to the question "can video games ever in any way have the slightest influence in violence ever" is "yes". So I'm then curious about the follow-up questions:

1. does this influence extend beyond being "slight"? I.e. how significant is it?

2. what responsibility does this place on video game makers?

3. if the influence is way more than just "slight", then should violent videogames be banned?

Also, what does a videogame need to have to be called a "violent" game for the purposes of banning? And it's also possible, perhaps, that some games should be banned while others shouldn't, so what criterion should be used to determine that?

The same question could be asked for violent movies, violent paintings, violent novels, etc.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

1. No. I feel it's insignificant. Whatever perceptions there might be about what is depicted can and should be guided by the parents/ other responsible parties.

2. None. Just like it's not a problem when graphic novels depict slaughter.

3. No. See above.

 

[Quad4_72]

No violent video games should not be banned. That pesky first amendment will not allow that. Ever.

 

[mike3]

No violent video games should not be banned. That pesky first amendment will not allow that. Ever.

1. Only in America.

2. Regardless, the question was not about whether or not they could be banned, but whether or not they should, i.e. whether it itself would be a good idea. That it may not be possible to do so in America is beside the point. Just like with the gun bans -- the 2nd amendment is troublesome there as well, but the idea that gun bans are good has been advanced, and furthermoe it has been implemented in other countries without that restriction.

 

[RedRatSnake]

No~I see nothing wrong with them, I do however, think that children should not be playing them because it could send mixed signals while they are learning how to be social and interact with others, right and wrong sort of stuff.

 

[Irony]

My quote so I suppose I should answer.

1. It depends on your definition of "slight", there have been studies on this and the answer almost always ranges from a mild effect to no effect. Importantly, video games seem to have no effect in excess of any other media.

2. I would say they have a responsibility to accurately report the level of "objectionable" content in their game to the ESRB. Beyond that, it's the responsibility of the ESRB to rate reasonably, and the retailers to restrict sales of "inappropriate" games to minors. Beyond that, nothing.

3. Irrelevant, as it is clearly not. However, if we are playing "what if" then no, it should not. Speaking as a US citizen, at least, there is this thing called the 1st amendment, which I believe takes precedent over angry old fogies having fainting spells over the youth (average age, mid-30s) and their newfangled toys.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

You definitely have to control the narrative, as it were. I recall getting a few odd notions in my head from watching Westerns and cartoons. But kids aren't stupid, for the most part.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Only if all other violence in all other forms of media is banned as well. Books, plays, movies, television, opera. Look at Hamlet, the Bible, Carmen...all very violent works.

 

[Irony]

Another important point, the answer is clearly "yes", not because video games increase violence but because the question is so vague and far-reaching that the answer has to be yes.

Can video games possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.
Can books possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.
Can soda possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.
Can spider monkeys possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.

 

[NWO Sentryman]

Another important point, the answer is clearly "yes", not because video games increase violence but because the question is so vague and far-reaching that the answer has to be yes.

Can video games possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.
Can books possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.
Can soda possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.
Can spider monkeys possibly have an effect on violent behavior - yes.

Don't remind me how many times a Monkeylord has wiped out my base in Supcom.

 

[mike3]

Thanks, everyone, for all your responses.

 

[Monketi Ghost]

Only if all other violence in all other forms of media is banned as well. Books, plays, movies, television, opera. Look at Hamlet, the Bible, Carmen...all very violent works.

The Bible. That's some violent, rapey, horrible **** nearly all the way through

I love this gem, one of the few things that has actually scared me for my nation in my lifetime.

http://rgordley.tripod.com/ban.htm

 

[RedRatSnake]

Thanks, everyone, for all your responses.

Are we done? Cause I can go and watch "The Terrornauts" and come back latter. lol

 

[PhantomWolf]

No violent video games should not be banned. That pesky first amendment will not allow that. Ever.

Really. How's that "pesky first amendment" working against the violent video game ban in Australia.

 

[StankApe]

somebody actually posted a graph in another thread that showed that violent crime in the USA actually went down about the same time stuff like Doom and Quake ...etc first appeared and has been steadily dropping since then.

You ban violent games, they will watch violent movies

you ban violent movies, they will read violent books

you ban violent books they will be bored and go out and become pimps*









*- last part may have been made up

 

[TragicMonkey]

Also consider sports--most of those are violent as well.

 

[Irony]

Really. How's that "pesky first amendment" working against the violent video game ban in Australia.

Australia is somewhat of an oddity. At times their respect for freedom of speech seems on par with other first world countries, and at times it would make the Chinese government raise an eyebrow.

 

[Quad4_72]

Really. How's that "pesky first amendment" working against the violent video game ban in Australia.

I am not too sure what you are getting at here. Actually, I have no idea whatsoever. Are you saying that America's first amendment should some how apply to Australia?

 

[rwguinn]

Rather than banning anything, a little training at an early age on the difference between reality and fantasy would come in real handy.
Too bad kids today never have any training in logic, science, and the like...

 

[PhantomWolf]

I am not too sure what you are getting at here. Actually, I have no idea whatsoever. Are you saying that America's first amendment should some how apply to Australia?

Actually I thought that was your argument since it was your that stated...

No violent video games should not be banned. That pesky first amendment will not allow that. Ever.