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Do You Think That Violent Video Games/ Movies Are An Issue

Do You Think That Violent Video Games/ Movies Are An Issue

  • No

    Votes: 64 72.7%
  • Yes

    Votes: 18 20.5%
  • Other

    Votes: 6 6.8%

  • Total voters
    88
I don't think any MENTALLY NORMAL person will, simply by playing Call of Duty or Left 4 Dead or other violent video game, decide on that basis to go out and kill a bunch of innocent people at random.


A mentally ABNORMAL person may become fixated on ANYTHING, and not have the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, right and wrong... in which case the video game is not the causal agent, the mental illness is the cause.

I'm not certain, Gosh, when we talk about kids growing up on violent video games. I think video games may in some way dehumanize violence and the consequences of violence.
 
That would be my concern as well. Growing up in a hunting culture, kids learn that guns do kill, and they (hopefully) learn a little about the seriousness of using firearms. When you can play video games, where you are shooting human figures, and you get the reinforcement of sound and visual effects, but don't have to actually associate your own actions with a real consequence, I just think it causes some inability to understand the seriousness of shooting.

Actually you can by how people play games that isn't the case. In some games they give you a chance to choose between a good or evil path. An overwhelming majority take the good path as that is what they see as morally acceptable and feel guilt if they take the veil path, others and myself have felt guilt after performing an "evil" action. Games don't change people.
 
A few years ago, I would have said no. For the past couple of years, I'm seriously starting to wonder if violence in video games is having a detrimental effect on some kids, because they get so wrapped up in them, that it may become an alternate reality, of sorts, especially when they spend so much time alone, and interacting with a computer.

Before video games though, these same kids would be out torturing squirrels... the issue is the person. It is like guns. Guns are not the issue, the person is.
 
That would be my concern as well. Growing up in a hunting culture, kids learn that guns do kill, and they (hopefully) learn a little about the seriousness of using firearms. When you can play video games, where you are shooting human figures, and you get the reinforcement of sound and visual effects, but don't have to actually associate your own actions with a real consequence, I just think it causes some inability to understand the seriousness of shooting.


I would agree with that except for the first part, at least for the majority of kids today that don't grow up in a hunting culture, that grow up in an urban environment.
 
Based on what? The CT shooter came from extreme wealth, hardly an "access" problem. I think more it is denial to admit that your kin may be seen as "defective".

Something like this "logic": Little Johnny is a bit odd, he pulls the legs off of grasshoppers and has no friends that like to play with him, but he will "grow out of it" OK - no sense in marring his "permanent record" with all of that psycho-babble, or trying to drug him into "normality".

whatever treatment he received was obviously inadequate. all the more reason to change the culture and to increase general access to more effective care.
 
Do you have any proof at all of this, I despise violence and guns. I am anti-gun, and believe that violence is only acceptable when all diplomatic channels have failed.



Its just common sense to me.
 
I'm not certain, Gosh, when we talk about kids growing up on violent video games. I think video games may in some way dehumanize violence and the consequences of violence.

With some it will, to be certain. Those that are affected would be affected by some other stimuli if not video games. My daughters watched me play Black on PS2 and every time I hit a head shot they would go, "Yesss!" This was at 7 and 8 years of age. I felt really bad but they are the sweetest little things on the planet. They certainly know the difference.
 
I disagree as knowing what is real and what is entertainment is not difficult for normal people to discern. Awareness of forced sex and violence should not, in any way, make you wish to immitate or accept those actions. If that were true then all remaining native Americans would likely be long gone by now, due to the intense popularity of westerns.

If it doesn't make you more acceptable of violence, what are your proposals for reducing the number of innocent people being slaughtered each year in this country?
 
Before video games though, these same kids would be out torturing squirrels... the issue is the person. It is like guns. Guns are not the issue, the person is.

I have no argument with that, and I agree that the person is the problem, but what concerns me is the alternate reality that video games can create for people who are already screwed up. I'm not advocating that we ban violent video games.
 
Its just common sense to me.

What people do in a world they know is false does not affect how what they do in the real world, people unless they are mentally unstable differentiate between the world of video games and reality.
 
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Video Games and movies can actually be very helpful for smart parents who observe how their teens approach gaming and what types of movies interest them. For the vast majority, it's a creative outlet. The modern equivalent of head-banging.

e.g. if a teen were overly interested in films like Hostel, then you might want to see a professional.

I remember back in the 80's the movement to De-metal kids. The music was an outlet for normal teenage anxiety and moods. Taking it away could be like putting a cork in the bottle.
 
If it doesn't make you more acceptable of violence, what are your proposals for reducing the number of innocent people being slaughtered each year in this country?

Strict sentencing, including the death penalty, and regardless of the insanity plea.
 
"Do You Think That Violent Video Games/ Movies Are An Issue"

hmm define issue?

they CAN play A factor but overall they are MEANINGLESS


what i mean is if a person is broken they are going to do wrong no matter what, a video game or movie may have made them decide to use a hatchet but they were going to kill or do something regardless. They would have used a hammer, gun, stick, bare hands whatever

anybody that thinks movies/video games play a major or deciding role in weather violence occurs or not is very illogical and irrational. Its nonsense.
 
I have no argument with that, and I agree that the person is the problem, but what concerns me is the alternate reality that video games can create for people who are already screwed up. I'm not advocating that we ban violent video games.

I realize you aren't liz... and that is also a concern to me. I guess I am saying that there isn't anything to do for or about these people. They create alternate realities no matter what. My ex has BPD and she definitely has an alternate reality...
 
Really, we're going to hash this out again.
Hell I didn't think this would creep out again since I was a kid and it was largely decided that normal people don't have issues with video games and violence.

The world, most of our ancestors grew up in, was more violent than a video game or movie.
 
If it doesn't make you more acceptable of violence, what are your proposals for reducing the number of innocent people being slaughtered each year in this country?

Strict punishment for shooters (not death penalty), help for the mentally ill, and media blackouts.
 
No, I don't think violent video games are an issue. What is an issue is poor parenting and a refusal to believe that people can be downright evil.
 
If it doesn't make you more acceptable of violence, what are your proposals for reducing the number of innocent people being slaughtered each year in this country?

Real enforcement of existing laws would be a very good start, but that is very expensive as most are simply plead down and the prisons are full. Most US violent crime is drug/gang related and occurs in "no tell" (free crime) zones, aka urban centers. Too much focus is on the "spectacular" mass/serial killings and too little on the "normal" crime. I realize that simply avoiding these "free crime" zones is perfectly acceptable to most, and that they get excited only when it spills over into their "safe turf" but guns/movies/games are not the problem, "normal" criminals and the criminally insane are. When we get serious about removing the vast majority of "normal" criminals from society then perhaps we can address these "side" issues.
 
Strict sentencing, including the death penalty, and regardless of the insanity plea.

Crazy people are not concerned with sentencing or the death penalty. We need to fight this gun violence on many fronts, among them:

violence ratings on video games and movies just like they devised for sexual content;

Banning high capacity magazines and the guns that use them;

Requiring a waiting period for new gun purchases in all states, including at gun shows;

Extending the background check to mental history;


Those are the best proposals I've heard. What are other suggestions?
 
Real enforcement of existing laws would be a very good start, but that is very expensive as most are simply plead down and the prisons are full. Most US violent crime is drug/gang related and occurs in "no tell" (free crime) zones, aka urban centers. Too much focus is on the "spectacular" mass/serial killings and too little on the "normal" crime. I realize that simply avoiding these "free crime" zones is perfectly acceptable to most, and that they get excited only when it spills over into their "safe turf" but guns/movies/games are not the problem, "normal" criminals and the criminally insane are. When we get serious about removing the vast majority of "normal" criminals from society then perhaps we can address these "side" issues.

DO you what gets rid of gangs, mafias. Just make a deal that they can shoot up a bar where the gang members hang out and there will conveniently be no police in the area.
 
Crazy people are not concerned with sentencing or the death penalty. We need to fight this gun violence on many fronts, among them:

violence ratings on video games and movies just like they devised for sexual content;

Banning high capacity magazines and the guns that use them;

Requiring a waiting period for new gun purchases in all states, including at gun shows;

Extending the background check to mental history;


Those are the best proposals I've heard. What are other suggestions?

There are already ratings on video games, that have violence.
 
Crazy people are not concerned with sentencing or the death penalty. We need to fight this gun violence on many fronts, among them:

violence ratings on video games and movies just like they devised for sexual content;

Banning high capacity magazines and the guns that use them;

Requiring a waiting period for new gun purchases in all states, including at gun shows;

Extending the background check to mental history;


Those are the best proposals I've heard. What are other suggestions?

Well the first one already exists if have ever looked at the back of a game case or movie. They should only exist as guidelines only and not be enforceable.
 
Crazy people are not concerned with sentencing or the death penalty. We need to fight this gun violence on many fronts, among them:

They may not be as concerned as the average citizen, but there is still some semblence of thought process going on, and most of us learn right from wrong, and that killing is wrong, in our formative years. The American public as a whole is concerned, and if we sentence and execute murderous criminals, consistently, the deterrent effect will have a lessening effect.

I do not support any gun control measures beyond what we already have, because it's not the guns that are causing the problem.
 
Crazy people are not concerned with sentencing or the death penalty. We need to fight this gun violence on many fronts, among them:

1.)violence ratings on video games and movies just like they devised for sexual content;

2.) Banning high capacity magazines and the guns that use them;

3.) Requiring a waiting period for new gun purchases in all states, including at gun shows;

4.) Extending the background check to mental history;


5.)Those are the best proposals I've heard. What are other suggestions?

1.) they already are and this wont change anything
2.) again pointless because criminals dont care about bans, mark harsh laws for ILLEGAL weapons (selling, importing, manufacturing etc.) banning my law abbiding citizens is dumb, it endangers them and empowers criminals
3.) again see above wont fix anything but harm law abiding citizens id fight this one always because its also dumb. I would be fine with NOT allowing sells at guns shows OR that those seel are regulated and done the same way in as stores do it though but no waiting period that endangers normal citizens and empowers criminals
4.) im fine with this one depending one what that mental history is. FOr example I had a heart surgery (catheter) and every time i get insurance (medical or life) or NEW doctor visits im considered a "heart patient" for no reason because there is no break down" initial" between someone like me that actually has nothing wrong with them now, no meds ZERO additional risks and someone that just had a heart attack , triple by pass and is on meds.

just saying i wouldnt want someone being denied a gun or made to wait because they took a memory drug 20 years ago

5.) IMO some of those are HORRIBLE but i suggest weeks and other ways.
 
There are already ratings on video games, that have violence.

If the video games I have seen kids play have already been rated, than the rating system needs to be revised.
 
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