For chapter 7’s first impression post, I chose to do the second option, discussing the fact of whether or not violence video games cause children to be more violent and whether video games should be banned. I agree and disagree with this statement. It’s very controversial and for some it’s true and others it’s false.
The reasons that I don’t think that video games cause violence are because some people use it as a way to “relieve stress” or get away from the world. Another reason is that the kids only play fr a few hours and it’s not like they believe it and it just depends on the game. For many kids, video games are like their “safe zone.” That’s what it is for my brothers, both of them. They both play on the computer and they play violent games and non-violent games. It’s just a safe zone for them so that they can play with their emotions, not their physical lives. I think that most people who do play video games tend to be the “nerdy” and they are the “soft” people. Not everyone plays violent games and the ones that do might not even play them for a long time. Theres not that many issues with violence in video games as there are with school shootings. In the past year, there have been more school shootings. The mass shooters who have attacked schools have showed signs of mental illnesses and that the mental illness was what caused them to do it.
I agree with the statement that some video games do cause violence though. In video games, the realism is intensifying the game and making it real life. The graphics create a false reality. An example: older video games were more based on cartoons, when a character was injured, there was no sound of blood or a breaking bones. It was imaginary and not real. The player could tell it’s not real. While technology is wonderful, the background effects and sound effects, the games give off virtual reality. These online games are now involving virtual reality and role-playing scenarios. Unless society brings children away from the games and outside, playing with actual friends, they will most likely start to believe that they are the actual people in the video games. People who play for hours and don’t tend to move for a long time get focused with the game and start to believe that they are the robber they are playing, the shooter they are playing. Mental illnesses are becoming to be a bigger part of society. A lot of people have them and with the proper help, they can get help and not be so violent.
I also didn’t finish what I had to say because of the deadline. It’s very controversial, with and without violence.
Tiffany'sCollegeBlog 
You did a great job on the post. I agree with most of what you said especially on videogames being a stress reliever for kids. In the recent years the divorce rate has gone up. With this, kids are stuck more than ever in the middle of parents who are arguing and not giving the children the proper attention. What people don’t keep in mond though is the games aren’t always violent. There are plenty of games such as NBA and racing games that aren’t violent.
I find it interesting you brought up the mass shooters. You are correct in saying mass shootings are caused by shooters who have mental illness rather than an influence of video games. The best example I can think of to prove this is the Sandy hook shooter. After the shooting a lot of people claimed it was because the shooter had played a lot of video games. However, an investigation had proved the Sand Hook shooter was diagnosed with Asbergers and he had a “paedophilic interest in children”. With the mixture of these, he had felt he was saving the children from the terrible inlfuence of adults.
The one part I don’t agree with is how the realistic feel of videogames is an influence of violence on children. I am a strong believer in we are the product of our environment. To me this means we become the people our peers and adults around us influence us to be. I don’t believe video games, no matter how realistic, have any influence on violence.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sandy-hook-massacre-adam-lanza-paedophilia-fbi-files-mass-shooting-newtown-elementary-school-a8018566.html
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I can understand why you both listed mental illness as a cause of mass shootings, since that is something the media is quick to bring attention to in the aftermath of these tragedies. We certainly need more attention and resources devoted to mental health in our communities, but it is a mistake to put mental illness at the center of these shootings. While violence can be associated with some forms of mental illness, it is very rare. In fact, people with mental illnesses are 10 times more likely to be the victims of violence crimes than the perpetrator (https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts). In terms of risk factors that mass shooters have in common, mental health problems is pretty far down the list. The overwhelmingly strongest predictor of violent behavior is being male. The way we teach boys and men to solve problems, and the ease with which people can access firearms in our country are the biggest factors in the violence we see way too often. We need far more access to mental health services in this country, but preventing violence is not a good argument for it.
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