Playing games makes kids violent – or not?
If you haven’t read it already, read Steven Johnson’s open letter to Hillary Clinton, Hillary vs. the Xbox: Game over” in LA Times.
His main points: Parents have been dragging kids away from whatever the kids were into since the dawn of civilization. Why should kids playing video games be worse than kids playing Monopoly?
And: “most of today’s games force kids to learn complex rule systems, master challenging new interfaces, follow dozens of shifting variables in real time and prioritize between multiple objectives. In short, precisely the sorts of skills that they’re going to need in the digital workplace of tomorrow.”
Right on the head.
Steven mentions that violence among kids have dropped, and that crime in the youngest age groups is the lowest today since the study started in 1975. Duke Ferris takes a closer look at the numbers at Bolt.com.
This is too easy. When some politicians claim that videogames are to blaim for violent kids, it’s wrong. And it’s also wrong to think that videogames make kids LESS violent. Steven writes “explore the theory that violent games function as a safety valve, letting children explore their natural aggression without acting it out in the real world.” Maybe. I think this needs to researched much better before jumping to conclusions.
But then again, as a friend of mine says: “Nothing cleans the air better than shooting some colleagues in Halo once in a while.”
Steven’s only concern with videogames is this: “Kids don’t get physical exercise when they play a video game, and indeed the rise in obesity among younger people is a serious issue.”
UPDATE:: Steven also has post on his blog about this, where answers this question from one of his blog readers:
“I would say you are either among the many uninformed people I know or you are brilliant in feeding the masses random statistical data that leads to no conclusions to no end other than to sell more of your books. There is an overwhelming body of medical research linking violent media to increased aggression in kids and teens.”
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