Arguing Point

¶ … Speech Are Video Games to Blame for Violence and Violent Crimes in Teenagers? Over the past few months there has been an increase in awareness of crimes and violent acts by teenagers, arguably stemming from their interactions with video games. In one particular case as reported by ABC News in September, two teenage boys in Tennessee accidentally murdered Aaron Deneau on Interstate 40 when they took a shotgun and started to recreate their own version of Grand Theft Auto 3 - a game that involves crime and gun violence.

The Deneau family have filed a case against the makers of Grand Theft Auto 3, claiming that violent games like it should not be made because they encourage crime and violence in teenagers. I believe that while video games may have an affect on the people who play them, they are not solely responsible for violence in teenagers or indicative of teenage crimes, instead, it is a scapegoat for the larger issues involved in teenage violence, such as parental guidance, gun control, and violence portrayed in the media.

According to the ESRB which is the standard in ratings for console and PC games, Grand Theft Auto 3 is rated "M" for mature. This rating implies that there are adult themes of violence, language and content not suitable for teenagers under the age of 17 or young children. Games suited for Teenagers are rated "T," while those that are suitable for any age group are rated "E." The two boys in Tennessee were between the ages of 14-15 and in theory, should not have been playing this game.

Three very important questions need to be asked in regards to not only this particular case, but others like it: Firstly, where were the parents? Were they not monitoring what their children were playing? Secondly, regardless of if the parents had any knowledge that their children were playing an "M" rated game, who sold or rented the boys the game? They got the game from someone, and while this information has not been disclosed yet, go into any Blockbuster or games store and you'll find teenagers buying M-rated games without any questions asked.

If we are supposed to check IDs for alcohol and certain films, why are there no mandatory checks for video games? Lastly, and perhaps the most valuable question: where did they get the shotgun? Kids play pretend all the time. It is a form of escapism and creativity. These two children, barely teenagers, wouldn't have been able to accidentally kill on the Interstate if they didn't have the shotgun. If anyone is to blame, it is collectively the parents and the owner of the gun.

Many people will argue that Hollywood films and video games induce violent behavior. In fact, the Deneau family lawyer, has remarked that these violent video games mimic training simulations used by the military and therefore should not be made accessible to civilians because it desensitizes killing and death. This is perhaps true, but I urge you, if we are concerned about desensitization, perhaps we need to begin with our media's coverage of crime and current U.S. Foreign Policies.

After all, these too are responsible for how we respond to death, fear and acts of violence. Others may argue that parents can not be held responsible for everything their children do; that there are evil children prone to violence.

Maybe this is also true, but does this mean parents should not provide guidelines and be active in their child's world? Are we saying that it is alright for parents to be selective about what they get involved in, or are we demanding that parents make themselves accountable for not knowing what their child is up to in their own home? It is up to parents and guardians to be in control in their own house and to spend time with their children from an early age, discussing these issues that enter our living rooms everyday.

Violence has entered schools and everyday places that otherwise would be considered safe. Now more than ever, parents, teachers and those with positions of authority need to address the key factors related to teenage violence and not point the finger at the entertainment world. If you feel a game is too violent or a film isn't suitable for a teenager, then make the rules, and forbid them playing or watching it.

Of course, teenagers will be rebellious and do their own thing if they want to - but the key phrase here is "if they want to." If parents act like parents and create a meaningful relationship with their children; giving them the foundation to decide what is right and wrong as well as the.