Video games get a lot of flak from the mainstream media for being contributors of violence, mayhem, and sexual bias for the innocent minds of our youth. Interestingly, I've done my share of academic reading into the mechanisms of video game influence and unfortunately it's still a toss-up as to what video games are actually contributing--in addition to entertainment. Psychologists seem to be in favor of reporting the negative aspects of video games--aggressive behavior, thinking, and emotion--and ignoring the emerging evidence of positive contributions--prosocial behavior, problem solving, visual-spatial coordination. However, I'm not surprised since the video game industry has monetary motivation to churn out games that keep people coming back for more.
Currently the target audience for the industry is males 18 -35 years of age, similarly to the movie industry's audience for action movies. Therefore, there should be no shock that similar games are produced (e.g. GTA series, Halo series, God of War series, and COD series). Of course kids are still playing these games but this is not the government's responsibility to enforce as noted by the recent string of congressional hearings (CNET, June 2, 2006) and state laws banning or fining the sale of violent or sexually explicit games to minors (Wikipedia:Video game controversy).
The ESRB already established a rating system for video games similar to the MPAA's moving ratings and the music industry's labeling of albums with explicit material. Parents/guardians are responsible for the child's choices as it should and always has been. If media wants to point blame direct it toward them (of course they wouldn't because they might loose viewership).
Furthermore, last time I walked into a video game store I noticed that Nintendo tends to cater to a wider demographic of gamers. Given that the console out sells the other two (USA Today, Jan. 14, 2011)that is saying something for the industry--Have you noticed that recent attempts by Microsoft and Sony to jump on the motion-controlled bandwagon? A quick glance at the consoles titles suggests that character driven games are still popular among the general audience (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Pokemon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Professor Layton, etc.). Furthermore, the Nintendo portable system (currently DS, and the soon to be release 3DS) indicates a similarly strong influence of character driven titles while also offering games suited to the two-screen touch capability (e.g. puzzles, RPGs, 2D side scrollers). The DS has also outsold every piece of video game hardware on the market (VGChartz, July 1, 2010). In general, Nintendo has sold over 700 million console units combined which obliterates the more adult title driven PS3, Xbox 360, and PSP--about 400 million combined units.
So why do the talking heads provide filtered information? Walter Lippmann once said that our lives are so busy, so used to grabbing information on the go, that we fill in the grey areas with stereotypes. Cognitive and social psychology backs this up. Moreover, Lippmann pointed to the responsibility of the media to provide information accurately in order that what little information was grasped by the public was accurate (from Public Opinion). This was said in 1922! Currently where is the accountability?
My advice: Don't listen to media reporters. Instead, use them as springboards and investigate an issue in your own way. We live in the most technologically accessible time in human history. With little more than a modem and a computer anyone can have innumerable opportunities to seek information.
As far as video games go, I love them; they have been part of my life since a was a wee one and I will seek information to defend the medium as long as the facts exist. I wouldn't expect less from anyone else in their search for answers to anything.
If you are interested in video games beyond playing them an old but still relevant book by Loftus and Loftus is a good place to start, "Mind at Play: The Psychology of Video Games," (1983). Check your local library or your favorite bookseller. I bought my copy for less the $10.
There are also plenty of online places where people have blogged about video games: 1up.com is good for general information, as well as, Gamespot, and ign. Of course these are just of few of the many sites out there. Some interesting blogs I've come across are The Psychology of Video Games and the now defunct Ludology.
The bottom line is: Play video games; enjoy them, but don't take them too seriously. Also don't believe everything you read (not even this blog!); instead make your own rationale decisions about things you seen and hear in the media. Lastly, educate yourself by seeking answers. Life is too short to be lived just nodding your head.
Happy gaming.
