Playing the blame game.

    In the 1950's comic books were demonized and considered a corrupting influence on our children. With a little bit of perspective and time we now see how ludicrous that seems. In the 60's it was The Beatles and that new fangled rock n roll that was going to destroy our children, that thought is now laughable. Then came the awesome destructive power of rolling dice while nerds pretended to be wizards and elfs, as it turns out the only terrible thing that Dungeons and Dragons taught you was...math...ooooooh.
      In the 80's the evil of rock and roll reared it's ugly head again as Ozzy and Motley Crue were going to steal children's souls and feed them to Satan. Well, now Ozzy is a reality show star who reminds us more of our grandpa than anything evil and Motley Crue is now played on those workplace safe radio stations. So once again these panic mongers look silly.
      The new "Ultimate Evil" in the world is video games.That's right Pac-Man and Space Invaders have mutated into an evil force that can turn your children into trained murderers....ummm...BULLSHIT!
      I want you to think about this for a second, we now live in a world where toy guns are all but banned, video game shooters are under fire for teaching our kids to kill, but these same people are handing their children REAL guns and screaming about their right to bear arms and kill fuzzy creatures with automatic weapons...am I missing something? Down with pretend violence, use real bullets instead. Is that the thinking now?
      I won't debate your constitutional rights to bear arms, I'm more concerned over the condemnation of video games and the constitutional rights of gamers. To start with I want to make this very clear, their has NEVER been any non-biased psychological or scientific proof that video games have ANY effect on children with one exception it's proven to improve hand to eye co-ordination to the point where prolific gamers are considered some of the best options to be fighter pilots.
      Video games as protected speech is under fire in an upcoming court case in California that could effect every type of free speech we now enjoy or any case that comes in the future, and as adults that should scare the hell out of you. The movie and music industry are allowed to govern themselves with stickers and ratings systems, but the video game industry who has the easiest to understand rating system is being attacked. Movies, music, books, even XXX movies are considered free speech but video games could soon be the first exception to that constitutional right. If that happens what will be next? Or should I say what WON'T be next? What will be left when people are done hating? I don't want to discuss the legal issues but the practical ones.
      Video games, like all the condemned things before them are a victim of ignorance. When people don't truly understand something their first instinct is to kill it, destroy it, make it go away so they are comfortable again. Having an open mind and wanting to educate yourself is a great cure for these fears, please keep this in mind when electing your politicians, because they more than anyone feed on your fears.
      I have been playing video games regularly since Pong. My brothers and my sons have been playing video games ALL their life. Not one of us has a violence issue, or have ever been arrested. If you want to know who is to blame for a child's behavior, first look at the child, there comes a point when a child is responsible for their decisions and knows right from wrong. No heavy metal song or video game can make a child do something they wouldn't do anyway. Even under hypnosis you won't do something that goes against your nature or beliefs, so I'm pretty sure Call of Duty won't magically turn your kid into something he's not.
      Second parents, blame yourself, that's right: "OMG, I can't believe it as a parent, you mean I am responsible for my child?" That's right you are. Now I understand that getting your child off the video games and making him do his chores, go out and play baseball or whatever is a legit problem, BUT that is not their problem it's yours. You set the rules, you let them spend eight hours a day online, if they're addicted blame the fact that you were too busy to monitor and structure their activities not the kid who's doing something he loves and wants to keep having fun, what do you think a child is going to do.
      Yes, video gaming can be addictive in a sense, because it's enjoyable, of course people want to keep doing things they enjoy. Another reason video gaming is addicting is because of the instant reward aspects and sense of accomplishment. It's an instant ego boost to those who are sometimes most in need of it. The popping of an Xbox achievement, the opening of a new weapon or outfit, it's instant gratification and reward which everyone loves. As parents it's your responsibility to monitor your child and tell them when enough is enough BEFORE it's out of hand and maybe get your kids involved in something else that gives them a sense of achievement. My boys are very proud of all their soccer trophies and the effort they put into getting them. If you find something else children can do to give them a sense of true achievement as well as physical and mental reward then video games will pale in comparison and be a hobby as intended instead of a lifestyle. As adults you should already know when to say enough for yourself, and if you don't it's not the game's fault it's yours.
       Also parent's should be aware that there are very few stores ( I have yet to see one) who will sell mature video games to children under 17 and they do check ID's. So if your children have these $60 video games someone (maybe you) bought them for them. It's your job to take the 5 whole minutes it will take to research a game or call a Game Stop and ask why it's rated the way it is before you say yes or even no to the new game that junior wants.
      While video games might be able to teach your child some of the tactics they use in police forces and military units to help keep them alive in horrible circumstances, they can not teach your child to be a murderer pressing a button and pulling a trigger are worlds apart, video games do not truly translate to real life and if you don't believe me and want see for yourself take that nine year old kid firing an M16 in a Battlefield game to a firing range, put a real M16 in their hands and see the difference, but you'll never be prepared for what you learn on that day, and don't say I didn't warn you.

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