Chad Reilly

Op-Ed for stc 201

Part 1:
The purpose of this op-ed is to address recent school shootings and the popular blame
of video games effecting the shooters mental capacity to make them think that shooting
school children is a thing that is okay to do. We really want to address parents and
establish the fact that video games have no link to effecting the mental capacity of those
who decide to play the game. We really want to drive home the fact that there is no
evidence supporting video games making the players more violent and how video
games do not put violent thoughts into their players’ minds. The specific outlet we want
to use is the newspaper called “Parents without Partners”. We think this is a great outlet
to inform parents about the effects our products have on our kids and to reassure them
that they are not harming their children by allowing them to play our games.
Part 2:
Op-ed
Do violent video games give our children violent thoughts leading to an increase
in the amount of school shootings that we are witnessing across America?
A recent school shooting in Dekalb County has once again raised concerns that
video games have a negative impact on children and fill their minds with aggressive
thoughts leading to an increase in school shootings.
The common opinion is that violent games fill our children’s heads with violent
thoughts. Inside these violent games that our kids are exposed to, children control
weaponized protagonists are and tasked with taking out lots of people, and in some
cases, allow them to perform violent acts that push the boundaries of what is morally
right to do and is acceptable in today’s society. Therefore, violent video games should
be banned so our kids do not have the opportunity to be exposed to such violence,
leading to a decrease in the violent thoughts our children might experience. This would
prevent our kids from thinking it is okay to perform violent acts in real life that have real
negative effects and consequences that can change, and in some cases, end lives.
The thought that video games negatively impact the thought process of our
children at first glance seems reasonable. But to believe that by eliminating these
games will prevent our children from witnessing any violence at all is unrealistic. There
is so much media and other forms of violence in the world today that by eliminating
video games, we would only limit the violence children are exposed to by a little.
Children will still see violence on the daily, in the news, through reading literature and by
watching movies. Video games are only one outlet that allows the viewer to see or
imagine violence that we would really not eliminate a lot of violence by eliminating video
games.
On top of this, there is no support that children witnessing violence are more
likely to perform violent acts themselves afterwards. Any and all studies done on the
topic have either come back with inconclusive results, found out to be flawed, or they
have come back with no evidence supporting violence in video games with children
conducting an increase in violent acts.
In conclusion video games cannot be proven to increase children’s violent
actions. As a parent, if you are concerned about the type of games your kids are
playing, our best suggestion is to play it with them. This is good for a couple reasons.
Firstly it’ll give you more time to bond with your children and have fun times to create
memories. Secondly it will allow you to really analyze ever game your kids are playing
to get a complete understanding of what your kids are being exposed to. After your play
sessions you will be able to make an educated decision on if your kid should be playing
the game or not. You’ll have information now to back up your decision and help make it
easier for your child to understand why they are able to or aren't able to play certain
games. Play with your kids, make good memories and study the games along the way
to make the best decision you deem for any specific game. You might even find a new
interest in something you didn’t previously consider as a fun activity for yourself.