If your kids play a lot of shoot-em-up video games, you may wonder if they will eventually have problems differentiating fantasy from reality. Tyler has a Star Wars games that he loves. I sometimes play it too but it does contain a lot of shooting action. I don’t allow him to play with toy guns, so this is the only time he’s able to “shoot” anyone. I try to steer him toward learning games and games that don’t include shooting or hurting anyone. And there are plenty of good games out there. We have a Pac Man game also and he loves playing it against me. Especially when he found out this was a game that I played when I was younger. We have several other family-friendly computer games like pinball and chess and he has a ton of games for his V-tech that does not involve bloodshed.
As Christmas approaches, video games invariably top the wish list of many kids. The couple who killed Baby Grace, met online while playing the internet game World of Warcraft. Should concerned parents be worried that their kids might turn out to me cold-blooded murderers?
In most cases parents need not worry that their kids will turn violent as a result of playing video games. But in some cases problems could arise. Dr. Kourosh Dini, a Chicago-based child and adult psychiatrist, reports that he sees many patients with “problematic gaming” in his practice. In a recent press release he offered several signs to consider when determining if someone has a problem:
“Failing responsibilities such as chores or homework,
Neglecting basic needs such as food and sleep,
Changes in behavior or mood such as irritability, and
Changes in relationships such as friends and family.”
These signs might point to other problems but if your child spends a lot of time playing video games and exhibits some of these signs, then you may want to consider arranging a visit to a health care professional.
See also:
Does Violence in Video Games Affect Children?
Manhunt 2 Video Game Banned in Britain