The Effects of TV and Video Game Violence in Children Essay Example
The debate surrounding the possible impact of video games and television violence on children has intensified, particularly due to the increasing occurrences of school shootings.
Advancements in technology have led to the rise of more lifelike forms of entertainment, sparking concerns about the potential impact of violent media on children. The government has actively addressed this issue by expressing opinions, conducting studies, and considering new regulations. President Trump, following the Sandy Hook incident, expressed his belief that video game violence influences young minds and contributes to societal problems. He contends that these violent games transform our youth into monsters. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that government actions are guided by facts, laws, and the constitution rather than personal beliefs. It should be noted that opposing perspectives exist regarding the President's viewpoint.
Research on the impact of vio
...lent media on children presents conflicting arguments. Freeman (2013) conducted a 21-year study that found no correlation between violence in media and increased aggression in children. However, Freeman highlights the importance of consistency in research for it to be deemed definitive, particularly in legal proceedings. To demonstrate this, Freeman draws a comparison to consistent research linking smoking and lung cancer, which proves that smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke lead to lung cancer. In contrast, studies examining aggression and video game violence yield contradictory findings.
According to a study by Iowa State University, playing violent video games can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and trigger a fight or flight reaction (News RX). The case of Brown V. Entertainment Merchants Association focused on the ban of video games and underwent thorough analysis. Justice Scalia from the Supreme Court determined that California faile
to prove negative effects on children caused by exposure to video games. Additionally, he argued that prohibiting the sale of these games to minors violated their rights protected under the first amendment.
Although the legislature may find these games shocking, law is not based on their personal feelings. The focus is on sexual conduct, which is considered obscene (Hudson 2018). In this case, the government has intervened through the courts, considering research and hearing arguments from both sides. However, the reliability of the research in proving a direct effect on children who play violent video games has been questionable. The Supreme Court has been cautious in protecting our civil rights and ensuring they are not violated.
Our government opposes the idea of banning violent video games and believes it is not an effective solution. Instead, they have implemented measures to limit children's access to these games while still safeguarding our 1st amendment rights. Moreover, Vice President Joe Biden and Republican Missouri State Rep. have also made efforts in this regard.
Diane Franklin sponsored and funded a bill to impose a 1% tax on the sale of violent video games, with the goal of generating revenue for treating mental health conditions associated with exposure to these games (Kain, 2015). However, this bill failed and was withdrawn because the Supreme Court ruled that there is insufficient evidence demonstrating a direct link between violent video games and mental health issues. Another federal bill was proposed to strengthen the enforceability of the Entertainment Software Rating Board's Rating System by making it illegal to sell Mature-rated games to minors. Governor Chris Christie of Rhode Island and New Jersey also tried to implement a
similar law in his state. Nonetheless, this bill faced challenges as selling violent video games to minors had previously been protected as free speech by Supreme Court Judge Scalion. Despite politicians' efforts, our courts remain committed to upholding and safeguarding our civil liberties.
Christopher Fergoson conducted a study in 2002 that was commissioned by the United States Secret Service. The study found no connection between high media exposure and school shooters. However, Senator Jay Rockefeller from West Virginia proposed a bill to investigate the impact of video games on children after the tragic Sandy Hook Shooting (Kain, 2015). This example demonstrates how lawmakers often react to public pressure following major tragedies by quickly introducing new laws and bills. Despite the Supreme Court's decision permitting the sale of violent video games to minors, these types of media remain widespread in our society. Thankfully, there is a rating system in place aimed at addressing these concerns.
According to Molina and Snyder, the responsibility of assessing video games lies with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rather than the government. The ESRB assigns ratings like "E" for everyone and "AO" for adults only. To gauge the efficacy of this rating system, our government conducted a test using an undercover shopper. The findings revealed that the video game industry adhered more closely to these ratings in comparison to movies and television shows.
