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Video Games and Children: Appropriate Intervention
Jon Filitti, MA, LMHC
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INTRODUCTION:
I was born in the perfect generation in regard to entertainment and video games had an immense impact on me. I spent countless hours playing games. Countless.
And I never stopped. Even today. Good marriage. Good job. Active child. Multiple projects. Doesn’t matter. I still take time to play video games. Albeit, a lot less time than when I had a lot less responsibility.
I see video gaming as a past time much like some sit around and watch television. Or read a book. Except in video games you get to interact with the story, you get to change the plot based on your decisions. You can’t get that from any other media.
Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to know upfront that I enjoy and advocate video games. With my clinical psychology degree and my license as a Mental Health Counselor. I don’t jump on the bandwagon that video games are a waste of time. I think it’s important that you know this upfront.
I’m also not looking to target the gaming industry for the ills of society (although it continuously places a huge target on its back). Actually I am looking to protect the video game industry. And your kids.
That being said, let’s begin our conversation on how potentially dangerous allowing your kids to play certain video games can be. Video games are the wave of the future. Let’s face it, as bad as some video games are now, the content and technology will only become more sophisticated.
CHAPTER 1:
I notice a disturbing pattern as I work in the homes of my clients. Most families with children own at least one gaming system. Curious, I often ask which games they own. Nine times out of ten, and I’m not exaggerating, I find 11-14 year old children playing games that should only be sold to gamers 17 years or older. These games contain many mature themes, such as violence, sex, destruction, and defiance to authority.
These children are playing right after school, stopping only after boredom sets in. And please note, these children are involved with counseling due to abnormal behavioral issues. Behavioral issues that consist of violence, sex, destruction, and defiance to authority.
Seeing a pattern?
Now you might be saying, “Hold on a minute”.
“There’s no way there is a direct correlation between video game violence and real life violence.”
And I believe you’re right. There is no direct correlation. But given what we know about reinforcement and desensitization, I’m not willing to simply toss up my arms and say there’s no connection. That’s too easy.
There are many studies on video gaming and it’s impact on youth. There are positive studies suggesting children who play video games have better hand-eye coordination. And there are negative studies that suggest anti-social video games may lead to anti-social behaviors. Anyone who wants to argue these points doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on. It’s common sense. Let’s not research it to death.
I have found that most parents don’t know what current video game content depicts. With realistic graphics it’s becoming more and more difficult for kids to differentiate a game from reality.
CHAPTER 2:
In case this is all new to you, and don’t be ashamed
if it is, here is a list of some situations your
child would witness while playing the game
Grand
Theft Auto. And yes, that is the title of the
game. Grand. Theft. Auto. Anyone not seeing this
as a problematic game for youth…well, you get my
drift.
But before you read on please be warned. Even the
act of writing this material can be offensive to
some.
- After stealing a car from any “bystander” in the
game, you can recklessly drive around the town
and…
-
…run over anyone that gets in your way. Little
old lady in front of you? Run her over. Police
officer trying to get in your way? Mow right
through him. For your enjoyment and reward, the
blood will spill all over the pavement. And
your points will increase.
-
If you get bored with driving, simply exit the
vehicle, walk up to a bystander on the street
and start punching them. No real reason, except
that it is “fun”. Hmm.
-
Pummeling victims boring you now? Find a gun
and shot those bystanders. Watch their animated
blood spill from their bodies.
-
Gun not enough? Get grenades, rocket launchers,
sniper rifles, chainsaws, and a variety of
violent tools. It’s a fact that many game
publishers pride themselves on coming up with
more “creative” weapons. Such as a chainsaw in
the last Grand Theft Auto game.
-
Plus, after you kill these people you can steal
their money that they drop. As a gaming reward.
-
Then, to top it off, cruise the streets looking
for prostitutes. Yes, prostitutes. Find one,
drive to a back ally, have a sexual encounter
(game does not show explicit shots, but car
bounces up and down) and then pay her. If by
this time into your gaming endeavor you are
feeling a bit antisocial, you can run her over
and get your money back.
Just the kind of entertainment you want your kids
interacting with. Right?
I hope not.
CHAPTER 3:
Again, I apologize for being so vulgar in the
preceding paragraph, but I feel it’s urgent to depict
the actual events of these games. And while Grand
Theft Auto is an easy target, due to it’s obviously
over the top antics, it’s not the only game that
concerns me.
Other violent video games, that do not glorify
anti-social behaviors as badly, can be tricky for
parents. A game featuring World War II scenarios may
seem to be innocent or even patriotic. Some of
these games do an astonishing job of capturing the
mood and significance of historical situations.
But even these types of games demonstrate ideals
such as the “head shot”. The headshot of course is
the act of shooting the enemy in the head, in order
to take them down fast. As opposed to shooting
enemies numerous times in the legs or chest, which
takes more time and ammo to finish the job. (And
rewards less points.) Plus the flashes of death,
blood, and violence, are also just as prevalent in
these games as the GTA franchise. They just lack
violence against “innocent bystanders” and direct
the player to engage with the “bad guys”.
Games are becoming more realistic in both story and
visuals, which leads to more realistic game play and
situations. It’s not just collecting coins or
chomping yellow dots anymore. But remember, there
are some great games available for kids of all
ages. Seriously. Great games involving action,
adventure, role-playing, and even learning.
CHAPTER 4:
But even with all the garbage that is available I
still don’t believe that mature themed video games
should be banned. If there are enough people out
there that want to make and play mature games then
have at it. But you also have the right to control
what your kids see and play. And to tell you the
truth, many of the video game publishers are
expecting, and wishing, that more parents would step
up and control what their kids are playing.
Video game publishers have an interesting dilemma.
The average video gamer is a 24-29 year old male,
with disposable income, looking for mature games.
Nothing wrong with making mature games that targets
its richest demographic. But let’s not forget the
politicians. They use mature video games, which are
clearly targeted to adults, to push an agenda.
Video game publishers are crying out to parents to
take responsibility for what comes into the home.
They don’t want to be the scapegoat. And while some
might see this as a cop out, a way for the
publishers to get out of taking responsibility, I
see it as an opportunity.
So from me, “Please parents, take responsibility!”
So what can you do as a parent? Be proactive.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, should be played in
your house without your supervision. Nothing
bought, borrowed, and hopefully not stolen, comes in
to the home without your permission.
CHAPTER 5:
Here's my Six Step Guide to Safe Video Gaming:
-
No gaming in their bedroom, or unsupervised room.
I know it sounds like a bad idea, but make them
play the games on a communal television. Even
though you might have to give up the television
for a brief time, this way you can see exactly
what they are doing at all times. And if you
see they are pausing the game every time you
come into the room, or trying to distract you
from the screen, chances are you should be
paying more attention.
-
Specify video game time.
Limit their time on the system. Sit down with
them, discuss what is fair and maintain control
(I guarantee even if you gave them 10 hours a
day they will still feel limited!). I suggest
limiting it to an hour a day or less. I like
the model of giving them a “base time”, say a
half an hour and then let them earn more time by
getting their homework or chores done. Also,
make it a prerequisite that all homework and
chores be done first. You can do it. You’re in
charge.
-
Consequence bad behaviors by revoking game time.
Video games should be the first to go. For two
reasons. It gives you more control. And it
pains them the most. Kids want their games, and
they will realize you mean business when you
have taken them away for a week.
Side note:
All you have to do is take away the
controllers. Don’t worry about hiding the
system, the games, or the cables that go to
the television. Just the controllers will
do. I suggest taking them to work with you
and leaving them there. Just make sure that
your resourceful child doesn’t have the
bright idea of borrowing a neighbor or
friends controller.
-
Never allow them to take a game Online!
This is very important, something that many
parents do not pay attention to. Many assume
since the game looks to be mostly appropriate
for their child that nothing bad could happen.
That is an incorrect assumption. First of all,
getting games online is extremely easy. Plug in
the network cable to the back of the system and
push START. Game on.
Now why am I so adamant about this? Online gaming
is the wave of the future. Every system, most all
games, and all kids will be able to get online with
these games. Very soon. What is the purpose? For
years, all of us have been playing against the
computer artificial intelligence, or AI. That was
great in the 80’s, but redundancy and what is known
as “Easy AI” makes games worthless to play after the
first time through. However, with online gaming,
the gamer is no longer limited to playing against
brainless computer programmed AI, but is thrown into
an arena full of actual “human” contestants.
All the characters on the screen are actually being
controlled and played by a human on the other end,
somewhere in this nation, or even world. For a
gamer like me this is a great concept. For a parent
like me its scares the heck out of me. Why?
Because there is no online filter.
The game publishers make the offline version of the
game to meet a certain criteria or rating (read
below). Think of these ratings as you do for
movies. But if a game is rated the movie equivalent
of PG, that innocence is removed once the game is
being played online.
Most games support live chat, which means your child
is in direct conversation with anyone from around
the globe. Believe me, I play these games. Gamers
are constantly swearing or ranting. Sometimes there
are racial slurs flung about. And often there are
gender or sexist comments. Comments that rate NC-17
at best. The game automatically goes from
Disneyland PG to a seedy XXX rating. All after only
a short 20-second log on wait. Scary.
So how can you keep your kids from taking a game
online? Check the back of each game. If it is
“online compatible” it will provide this
information. If it’s not online compatible you and
your children are safe. If it is an online game
make sure you are monitoring the situation at all
times.
-
Know the ESRB ratings.
All games are now tagged with an ESRB rating.
Since they can explain themselves better than I
can, please read the following excerpt taken
from
www.esrb.org/esrbratings_guide.asp:
“The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
ratings are designed to provide information about
video and computer game content, so you can make
informed purchase decisions. ESRB ratings have two
parts: rating symbols suggest age
appropriateness for the game, and content
descriptors indicate elements in a game that may
have triggered a particular rating and/or may be of
interest or concern. "
To take full advantage of the ESRB rating system,
it's important to check both the rating symbol
(on the front of the game box) and the content
descriptors (on the back of the game box).
Please, please, please, follow these guidelines.
You wouldn’t let your 9 year-old go see a rated R
movie. Why would you let him play a video game with
an AO (Adults Only) rating? For more information
about ESRB, please see the website listed above.
-
Talk to your children.
This seems to be forgotten the most. Often we
are so worked up about preventing this or
obstructing that, we forget our children want
guidance. It’s possible to have a good
conversation about these issues. Be honest with
them. Be patient with them.
Explain why it’s important that your family does not
participate in activities such as violent and
degrading video games. Be honest and calm when
describing that you don’t care that Jimmy’s parents
let him play the game “Killing Spree”. That may be
good for Jimmy but it’s not going to fly in your
house.
Be stern yet understand it’s disappointing for
them. Also, make sure that you remind them that
when they are 18 they are then free to rot their
minds! Wow. And to think I promised myself I’d
never sound like my parents.
PROLOGUE:
Speaking of my parents, my father often says,
“Common sense isn’t all that common.”
He’s right of course. We often do many things that
seem silly and irrational to others or even to
ourselves upon reflection.
Raising your child is the most important job of your
life. Make sure that you offer guidance, structure,
and discipline that will help him or her become the
successful person you want, and know, he or she can be.
Please take these guidelines and apply them to other
aspects of your child’s life as well. Television,
hanging with friends, music. With some minor
changes you can apply these steps to any facet of
his or her life.
So use some common sense. Your child is counting on
you.
Jon Filitti is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
and author of the Out of This World comic
book and activity series for kids. The series focus
on using social skills stories to engage children
and assist them in learning pro-social behaviors.
You can read more about the Out of This World
series by visiting
www.ootwcomic.com.
Please
feel free to print as many copies of this article as
needed to be handed out at your school, office, or
store. Spreading the word on both positives of
video games and the potential hazards is an
important subject, as they are quickly becoming this
generation’s prime past time.
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