Video "Games"

[nbcrusader]

i bought "Grand Theaft Auto" for my 14 yr. old brother for christmas...i figure whatever; he already watches porn, admitted to me he masterbates everyday/couple times a week & has had sex w/ his girlfriend .....is a stupid (entertaining!) game going to corrupt him that much more?

anyone have any thoughts on this?

Some thoughts (since you asked)....

The premise seems to be "if he is already engaging in questionable activities for his age, why not let him go further." As the older sibling, do you feel a responsibility to give him any direction. Would you object to drug use? Would you supply him with drugs? Where do you draw the line on what is appropriate for your brother vs. letting him do whatever is right in his own eyes?

 

[drifter]

Some thoughts (since you asked)....

The premise seems to be "if he is already engaging in questionable activities for his age, why not let him go further." As the older sibling, do you feel a responsibility to give him any direction. Would you object to drug use? Would you supply him with drugs? Where do you draw the line on what is appropriate for your brother vs. letting him do whatever is right in his own eyes?

oh yeah, i forgot to mention he has gotten plastered and smokes pot too....

the controvertial thing about this game is the violence and sex.... well, i know my bother isn't going to go out and blow someone's head off (as stupid as he is; hes smarter then that) and well, i think he has the sex thing covered.....so...
bottom line: its not going to change anything. . .

 

[pax]

Yes, but even if it doesn't make the situation worse, don't you feel like you have the opportunity to make your brother's life *better*--to give him positive influences rather than neutral/negative and be a force for good in his life?

Maybe giving him this game won't change anything, but gosh, if you gave him a book...then the kid might just be dangerous.

 

[CannibalisticArtist]

i bought "Grand Theaft Auto" for my 14 yr. old brother for christmas...i figure whatever; he already watches porn, admitted to me he masterbates everyday/couple times a week & has had sex w/ his girlfriend .....is a stupid (entertaining!) game going to corrupt him that much more?

anyone have any thoughts on this?

ban him from watching CNN.

 

[nbcrusader]

After reading this thread, there seems to be a general acceptance of violent video games and belief that it does not lead to real violence.

Now, consider the "victims" in the video game. Does this change the equation?

Check out this story from CNN: Banning Video Games

 

[melon]

Removing emotion from the equation, what are the actual statistics on murders, violent crimes, etc.? They've gone up and down, typically in regards to ups and downs in the economy. Video games, however, are steadily more violent. I still think that it is a scapegoat, and it isn't a real indicator of criminal activity.

I certainly may think that certain games are repugnant, especially when we start categorizing people by racial and other socioeconomic classes as "targets," but, lest we forget, hate speech is protected by the U.S. Bill of Rights, according to current Supreme Court precedent. Just try and ban it...and tell me why we shouldn't ban the KKK or even the Christian Coalition for hate speech. I could argue that both incite violence against certain classes of people.

Melon