Violent Video Games Should not be Banned
By Chris Taylor
Com/156 Effective Persuasive Essay
August 1, 2010

Violent Video Games should not be Banned Violent video games that promote violence and criminal activity should not be banned because each game is properly labeled. It is the parent’s responsibility to monitor their children on what games they play and for how long they play the games. Numerous surveys have been taken that show games can enhance certain learning abilities and not cause violence. Violent video games are meant for adults and banning these games takes away the right of freedom of expression from the adult. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) provides concise and impartial information about the content in computer and video games so parents can make a clear informed purchase. (www.esrb.org/ratings) ESRB provides ratings for each game that is distributed. These ratings have two equal parts: Rating symbols and content descriptors. Rating symbols on the front of the package provide age limits on who should be allowed to play the game. Age appropriateness is clearly marked and those younger than that should be monitored. The rating system used is the same system that TV shows and movies use to rate their content. Content descriptors which are located on the back of the package indicate elements in a game. These descriptors are C (early childhood), E (for everyone), E 10+ (everyone 10+), T (for teens), M (mature 17+), A (adults only), and RP (rating pending). These are there because the elements in the game may have triggered a certain rating or may be of interest or concern. The process of developing ratings involves both game publishers and game raters. Game publishers submit responses to a detailed written ESRB questionnaire specifying exactly what content the game holds. Along with these, publishers must provide a DVD which catches all pertinent content. Once this is done and checked by ESRB for completeness the video footage is reviewed by specially trained game raters. These raters will recommend an appropriate rating category and content descriptors. This is only a starting point from which raters will collectively decide on what rating to give a game. (www.esrb.org/ratings/process) Once the game is released it is up to the parents to monitor what they buy for their children. Parents have a responsibility to buy games that are clearly marked for their children that are age appropriate. Parents do not allow their third, fourth or fifth grade children to watch a movie with violence or sexual content. It would be hypocritical for these parents to buy and allow their children to play games with the same content. Surveys taken on adults and young children show violent games don’t always cause violence. Fordham University Psychologist Fran C. Blumberg PhD. and Susan S. Ismailer, MSED, examined 122 fifth, sixth, and seventh graders for problem solving behavior after playing a new game. In their paper titled Children’s Problem Solving During Video Game Play (2008) they explain how it was found that children’s cognitive thinking skills and perceptual skills were better after playing games. Also they found in the study that some children after playing certain games exhibited more energy and aggressive behavior but no violence. Douglas Gentile PhD. and William Stone BS in their study titled Four Dimensions of Video Game Effects (2008) found spatial skills and dexterity were improved in laparoscopic surgeons. In this study Gentile and Stone took 33 laparoscopic surgeons and found that those who played the games were 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures and made 37 percent fewer errors compared to those who did not play video games, said Gentile. They also confirmed what other studies have shown: Those who play violent video games can be more hostile and believe violence to be normal, but no physical violence occurred. "The big picture is that there are several dimensions on which games have effects, including the amount they are played, the content of each game, what you have to pay attention to on the screen, and how you control the motions," said Gentile. "This means that games are not 'good' or 'bad,' but are powerful educational tools and have many effects we might not have expected they could." The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives each American the freedom of religion, speech, and assembly. On September 25, 1789 the Bill of Rights was established to define citizens’ rights to the newly formed government under the constitution. Each adult has a right to choose and the foundation of this country rests on that. With some video games and their content young children should not be allowed to play them because kids are impressionable. Banning violent games just to keep them away from kids strips away the rights of the adult gamers. Movies, T.V. shows, and computers could be next. These three show a whole lot more than video games. Taking away video games for the gamer is just like taking away a movie for those that love movies. Games are clearly marked for the ages that should play them. Parents have a responsibility to their children to not allow them to play games that could negatively affect them. Violent video games are for adults and should not be banned for the lack of parental supervision. Surveys taken show that games can do more for an individual on an educational level and not cause them to be violent. To ban any video game would take away the rights of those who play them responsibly.