Should video Games w/ extreme violence be Contolled?

Other than being 18 and over recomendations should there be more laws put in place for video games that have extreme violence to be purchased?

I was watching a show today and a therapist was saying if you have children that video games shouldnt be in the home just like you wouldnt give your child drugs or take them to a violent movie. He said that a route to some of these crimes these days are teenagers/young adults playing these video games and trying to act them out if real life.

So do we need to do more and make it harder to purchase these extreme video games or is it just like anything else that's dangerous in the home, if you have them around do you make sure your kids are not watching you play and are kept far away from them?
Are these video games a problem? Obviously video games, or any other object do not kill but is it adding to the rising problems of gun violene in general?

I think limiting children's exposure is good--- but not having them in the home seems silly if an adult in the home enjoys playing them.

We have an Xbox, and a few violent games. The Xbox is never on when DD is awake.

a video game is not going to turn someone into a killer.

I think this is where parental judgement and guidance comes into play.

I do not believe violent games make people violent. I think it's ridiculous to try to stop first person shooter games as a result of the recent shootings.

There have always been violent people, murderers and pedophiles since the beginning of time. With technology we now know of every single violent act making it seem as though the world is getting more violent.

Nope. These violent games have ratings. If the parent fails to abide by them, that is their fault.

Have you ever read the bible? There is some gruesome and violent things in there too.

YES.

It's called desensitization and soon, we'll be reeling in the backlash of it.

War games and zombie killing is not appropriate for children. They are impressionable.

Quoting .Colleen.:" a video game is not going to turn someone into a killer."

I dont think it turns anyone into a killer more than watching violent movies would but I do think it's not something that should be on the shelf with your other video's and games. I think parents need to have games with extreme violent content in there room or safe place where it not easily accessed.

I don't allow my 12 year old to play those types of games. If I have to purchase it for him and the rating is 18 he doesn't get the game.

Hell I didn't allow him to own a nerd gun until he was 9 as I don't like anything about a gun. I was raised to never point a real or fake gun at anyone as what it implys.

Quoting Mama C~:" I dont think it turns anyone into a killer more than watching violent movies would but I do think it's ... [snip!] ... I think parents need to have games with extreme violent content in there room or safe place where it not easily accessed."

If they follow the age restrictions, whats the issue?

I think there are about a million things that are contributing to our general lack of sensitivity in society, but I don't think getting rid of violent video games will solve anything.

Quoting .Colleen.:" If they follow the age restrictions, whats the issue?"

Then there is no issue for that adult, should it be in the living room left after the adult plays when your 13 or 14 year old comes home from school to play or try to play. IMO no.

<blockquote><b>Quoting SpaceCowgirl:</b>" I think there are about a million things that are contributing to our general lack of sensitivity in society, but I don't think getting rid of violent video games will solve anything."</blockquote>




Imo it's all the social networking. Smurf people can't even talk on the phone anymore.

Anything in moderation, including video games, comes with a price. While I am do not agree with some children being allowed to play adult video games, it really isnt any of my business what other people do with their children and what they are permitted to watch.

I think that it does desensitize some people but I don't think it plays a big part in building personal morals and ethics or contributes to pathological disorders. I think that comes from a childs environment, not what games they play on the ps3 or xbox.