In USA Today, April 30th, 2010, several authors say that parents can control video game regulation themselves for their own children. Here is a quick analysis on the author's writing technique:
Michael did well starting his argument. It is what seems to be fairly sound, but only because it is based on values. He starts off saying that the Supreme Court skipped over the most relevant and easiest solution to the problem of violent video games. Usually the American people think of the Supreme Court of looking at facts too many facts. The main tool that this author used was simple logic. It is so logical that it makes you think, "Yeah, why doesn't the Supreme Court just allow parents to regulate the video games themselves?" He restates his claim at the end that parents need to raise their children, not the government raising the children for the parents.
I totally agree with his point: parents need to give children the attention and parenting they deserve; after all, the parents did decide to make adult decisions that brought them into this world. The problem that is easily missed with this is that a lot of parents do not care what games their children buys or plays, so, the government now has to take it in its own hands when this issue starts to effect the safety of rights of surrounding lives.
Works Cited
Michael Bailey. "Parents can Police Video Games." USAToday.com. 30 Apr. 2010. Web. 1 June 2010.
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Hey! Good blog! =D Yeah I think that simpliness is a good way to capture someone's attention. Simpliness is easier and clearer to understand. Sometimes people forget the simple things about life and so they need to be reminded. Same as this, I bet people didn't even consider regulating the video games themselves.
ReplyDeleteI also agree about the parents. Many parents need to be more concerned about their kids and more interested in what they do. They need to realize the bad effects of video games now, before it's too late. Video games destroy a person's life and make them numb to the things around them. No wonder so many people are unhappy today; no wonder people aren't satisfied with themselves. It's because they aren't trying to get out there and do somthing to better themselves or others. Playing video games all day long may be fun right now, but look towards the future...do you see anything great in your life that will have come from them?
I think this is a very important topic and needs to continue to be discussed at every level of government. The evidence is mounting concerning reality violence due to the influence of video games. I hope your research continues to influence not only your life but the lives of your brothers and others around you! It is amazing how education can change our lives!
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading through your post, I was thinking that there are a lot of parents out there who just don't care about there children - and then you made the statement:) It is very sad, but true, that the reason we have to have this government regulation is because our society is becoming very lazy. We are less interested in many things - but most importantly our children. And this is where it all begins. It makes you wonder not only what the video games are teaching our children, but what are we teaching our children by not giving them the attention they need and deserve?
ReplyDeletethis is an awesome topic to argue. And I also agreee with you when you say that parents aren't all that concern with what their children are playing. We've gotten so wrapped up with freedom of speech for all that we've lost our touch with what is right and wrong to please that constitutional right. there is a point when we need to quit worrying about ourselves and worry about the innocence of children... because these days it doesn't last very long.
ReplyDeleteYou have to keep it simple for the parents that are allowing their children to play these games. if the topic matter is to complex the reader will not understand and will stop reading the article. i regulate what games my kids play and all the games in my home are apropriate for their ages.
ReplyDeleteThe topic is fair enough, except one thing, what if the parent doesn't know the child is playing the game/ Yes I can control the games I bye for my child, but if he is visiting a friend and they have a violent game? Or my child borrows a viloent game from someone without my knowledge? L understand people are always saying "well you need to keep a better eye on your kid". Seriously, remember when you were a child and would sneak things past your parents, it happens!!! So yes, I do think these games need to be regulated more than they are.
ReplyDeleteok I myself am a gamer lol I play videogames a lot and its a recreation. Although most think i'm wasting my time, I play probably about as much as you watch TV. So I substitute TV with gaming. The games I play are also of the violent type such as Halo or Call of Duty on xbox live so I get to see and hear many types of ppl playing these games. Very often you get a kid playing that can't be older than 13 or 14. I dont support regulating videogames, but maybe a better way to regulate the age of kids playing them? I know its hard to regulate but i enjoy my gaming and would like to keep that around =]
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that the parents regulate it does not always work well. I know very few parents that would sit and watch the games their kids are playing. Most of them look and think oh a video game, this isn't my thing and walk away. I think it would be interesting to look at psychological studies to not just peoples beliefs.
ReplyDeletePyroplague - Thank you for your important viewpoint. I'm sorry for not clarifying: I am talking about the government regulating the sale of video games to minors (under the age of 18). Thank you pointing out a very important spot of confusion. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeletePyroplague -
ReplyDeleteThank you for your important viewpoint. I'm sorry for not clarifying: I am talking about the government regulating the sale of video games to minors (under the age of 18). Thank you pointing out a very important spot of confusion. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Jenn B. -
This should answer your argument as well.
MJ -
Great point! I will definitely be discussing that point in the near future. I have a law textbook (Mass Media Law 2009/2010) that states:
"What is legal may not always be what is right."
Just to add to that a little bit: What is wrong may very well be the thing that is harming us.
Thank you all for your comments. They are very insightful.
Jared Moss
Thank you ALL for your comments! It keeps the conversation up and lively. Thank you, this helps me to realize where I need to look for my future studies and what the hot points are in my research.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
Jared Moss
A lot of you are saying that parents really don't care all that much what video games their child plays - this is very true. Of course, some do care, but some don't because they don't recognize the harm being done... or don't believe the harm being done. This is a fair thing to say. Now that we have established that parents can regulate their children but don't, we need to continue to develope viable solutions.
ReplyDeleteI think the most viable solution to solve at least some of the problem is to regulate the sale of violent video games to minors.
AND
**Another viable solution is to inform parents of the harmful effects that violent video games have on their children.**
There are previous articles describing what kind of harms there are, so refer to those for referrence.
I will now turn towards a few more opposing arguments.
What about latch-key kids? There are so many homes where both parents work and kids come home to an empty house. What's to stop them from playing then?
ReplyDeleteAs stated in other comments, the key is education. Educate the parents on the harms, then educate the children on the harms.
I spoke to one of my own children (11 year old son) who wanted to play Halo 3 at his dad's house. After educating him on the harms backed by research on the Internet, he chose not to play. The education was done, the decision was his to make and he made the right one, feeling very proud of himself afterwards.
We can educate our children and help them to make the right choices because there are homes they are going to go to that don't have supervision - they need to learn how to make the correct decision.
Ah, yes! Great post Kat! A prime example of how the viable solution of education works. As posted earlier, if we tell people the harms associated with violent video games and educate them in the matter (tell them things that scientific studies have proven - a.k.a. things people don't normally know) then they can make wise, educated decisions that will uphold what is right and just. And what is right and just is simply having our rights protected from being infringed upon others: our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And what's more inhibiting to those statutes if people have a higher tendency to act out in violence from violent video games (being only one factor, but a big one).
ReplyDelete