I have a HUGE problem!!!!!!!!

Ok, first off I want everyone to know that I am 16 years old. Tonight my mom (out of nowhere) had a "talk" with me about video games. The point of her talk is that I am no longer allowed to play games where you shoot people. I know I could get away with playing them, but it would be much harder because I would have to hide nearly ALL of my games (instead of just the M rated ones). Come on? What's the point of having a 360 if I can't shoot people in the face? Here's what I'm asking of you guys:

Could someone please provide a link to anything that show evidence that violent video games doesn't turn EVERYONE into serial killers? Preferably from a reliable source.

Any help or advice would be EXTREMELY APPRECIATED!

BTW, if you snapped and killed someone, wouldn't you blame video games too? That's gonna be one of my arguments when I try to talk my ignorant mom out of this.

I think your mom might appreciate and consider what you have to say even more if you did some independant research. For example, you could gather information on how many shootings per year are "connected" to video games. Then gather information on how many copies of the game sold. You could argue that only x number of killers claimed video games influenced them, when Halo/GTA/etc. sold over y million copies. That's roughly z%.

Hey, I'm new to this website but i tried my best to find some links that could help you out with ur problem. Just so u know, i once had an even worse problem where my parents said i couldn't have a system at all, so i had to hide my whole ps2 and games from them. That's y i feel ur pain and will try to help u out, and hope these links will help with ur fight:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/violent-video-games/surprise-mall-shooter-didnt-own-video-games-237679.php

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070625/003804.shtml#comments

http://gamepolitics.com/2007/02/28/violent-games-dont-cause-youth-violence-says-usc-sociologist/

I really hope these links help, and write back whether these helped or not

To start off. In fact most of my games are M. And if people think I am going to kill someone just because I saw it in a game. They, they are the ones who have child like minds. I have never wanted to kill someone because I saw it in a game. And if anyone one says that games make killers. They are just stupid. Or in this case, ignorant. Theres not really much I can say about the stupid / ignorant people who think this. I cant change the why they think so I just hope this one goes out in your favor. Because Video Games are a fun thing to do. I live in a town with not many things to do so games are my thing. If that was out of my life I would die of bored ness.

Tell her is Aliens invaded or WWII magically rehappened you'd be all set.

Tell her it is thing like bad parenting that causes violence.

Tell her Video Games improve your eyesight.

Tell here videogames are a good vent.

I assume your mother doesn't let you watch R-rated movies, either. If she does, that's just plain hypocritical because the ESRB's M rating is identical to that of the MPAA's R rating for films.

Anyway, I'm a supporter of the rating system, and you fall a year short of the requirements for a Mature-rated game. So in a way, I have to agree with your mother. On the other hand, as you're pretty close to the mark, you could make an argument for yourself, provided you do some research on your own.

I hold a BA in Psychology, and I've done some of my own research on the subject. While it has been proven that violent media - not just video games, but movies, TV, music, etc. - can indeed increase the aggressive behavior of children, I have difficulty finding any substantial or significant data regarding the 14-16 demographic. I certainly don't think anyone under the age of 14 or 15 should ever see an M-rated game or R-rated movie, and there is a very good reason for it: there are critical development phases in humans, and they all take place before the age of 17 or 18. Depending on which school of science you prefer, there are more than a few "growing up" phases, and during each one, anything a person sees or experiences gets absorbed and processed very quickly and very deeply. It assists in making the person who they are as an adult; it contributes to their ultimate personality makeup. It's no surprise that children will attempt to resolve their differences by punching and kicking after watching a violent cartoon, and it's no surprise that certain TV shows have to include those "do not try this at home" disclaimers. It has been proven multiple times that violent media has a negative impact on children, plain and simple. Anyone who says otherwise is just naive.

But you're not a child. ...then again, you're not really an adult, either. You're beyond most of the critical developmental phases, but it's really a judgment call. Personally, if you were my son, I wouldn't have a problem with you playing something like Halo, but I would not like you playing GTA or Manhunt, or something similar. That's just my take.

"Tonight my mom (out of nowhere) had a "talk" with me about video games. The point of her talk is that I am no longer allowed to play games where you shoot people."

Hmm, then just play games were you chop off limbs with swords. Orr you could just tell you mum to FO.

I'm glad I don't have over protective parents.

You should just try to prove to her that you're mature enough to handle it and if playing those games before didn't affect you, then why would it be a problem nowwhen you're older.

What's the point of having a 360 if I can't shoot people in the face?

mECHwARRIORx2

For some reason I just found that line hilarious and practically sig worthy :lol:

Sounds like you're in a real tight spot though. After hearing about all the recent shootings and, with videogames constantly being used as a scapegoat, it's not too hard to see why your mom thinks the way she does. I don't think you can really do much other than argue that it has more to do with a person's personality rather than videogames themselves. You can also try to shift the blame towards music/movies/tv too.

Playing shooters on XBL is more like playing 'tag' than anything else. It's not like the games teach you how to use guns or anything.

My gut feel says that his mom saw some irresponsible local news broadcast about violent video games and is being the ill-informed sheep that many people enjoy being.

Ask her why she thinks/wants that and then come back to us with her reasons. It will be a lot easier to cut her down knowing where she stands than to throw random arguments that don't appeal to her sense of emotion (because logic can't come toher conclusion).

My gut feel says that his mom saw some irresponsible local news broadcast about violent video games and is being the ill-informed sheep that many people enjoy being.

Ask her why she thinks/wants that and then come back to us with her reasons. It will be a lot easier to cut her down knowing where she stands than to throw random arguments that don't appeal to her sense of emotion (because logic can't come toher conclusion).

nosferatu

That remind me of the South Park episode where all teh parents see the that parents are the #1 child abductor and the sent all the kids away

Ok, I just gave her a barrage of info, but I think the problem is even worse that I thought. She has religious concerns. She says she's been praying about this for a long time (wtf?). She just decided that this is best for me.

I have a 4.0 GPA. In a few years, I will be going to DeVry University and will major in Game and Simulation Programming. I'll kill myself before I make some sissy kids game. I like violent games. I am going to make violent games. That's all there is too it. She must have heard some BS about violent video games somewhere becuase this "little talk" seriously did come out of nowhere. So do any religious people have any advice? I am a Christian BTW, and I still enjoy pumping led into someone's face.

Well, I just got caught playing the COD 4 multiplayer Beta and I got my hard drive taken away. I tried to BS her for like 5 minutes. I don't know how she knew I was playing a shooting game, I had Death Metal music blaring. It's gonna be a long road ahead for me. I MUST change her mind, or at least compromise with her BEFORE Halo 3 comes out.

Mike Myer (Diarrhea) - after you read this, please try to find some seriously convincing information for me if you can. It would save my life. If you find something that convinces my mom to compromise, I will seriously give you 1600 Microsoft points.