Video Games and Juvenile Delinquency (Essay Sample)

VIDEO GAMES AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
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Video Games and Juvenile Delinquency
Recently, violent video games have been blamed for damaging children’s psychological state (Gentile & Sesma, 2003). People are alleging children who are constantly exposed to violent video games show more hostile behaviour. In addition, children who engage in violent video games apparently bully, fight, as well as take part in violent offenses as opposed to children who do not play violent video games. Although there is strong proof that asserts children may emulate observed violent behaviour, there is similarly merited scientific research that claims video games are not associated with delinquent actions like assault and theft.
According to Anderson & Bushman (2002) children tend to imitate what they observe and hear, not only violent one, they emulate all that they observe and hear. Bushman associates this notion with children who curse at tender ages as well as those who play-fight. Therefore, without question children may be influenced by violent games. Children imitate what they observe, be it on television or in real life situations. Moreover, although children who see violent actions in video games may not commit crimes or hut others, there is possibility for the kids to be influenced by violent video games (Carnagey, Anderson & Bushman, 2007).
Children may be unable to tell right from wrong and watching violence may certainly affect them; however, there is a system of informing guardians what games are suitable for their children (Ribeiro da Silva, Rijo & Salekin, 2012). These system functions properly only when parents play their role. It is their role to research and take note of what their kids play and reduce the risk of their kids being exposed to imitating unsuitable content.
Further, Anderson & Bushman (2002) revealed that violent video games may possibly make children to imitate violent actions observed on the television as well as curse at tender ages; however, there are more serious implications. On the other hand, Ferguson, San Miguel & Hartley (2009) carried out a study to establish whether violent video games negatively influence kids to act delinquently. The study established that delinquent behaviour as well as criminal actions related commonly to psychological and physical abuse from guardians and parents, along with antisocial character traits. Nevertheless, the study found no substantial relationship between violent media and criminal behaviour, as well as delinquent peer relations. The study concluded that violent media has no link to juvenile delinquency and criminal activity. This implies that kid may imitate behaviours like cursing in video games, however, they will not engage in crime due to the games they played (Carnagey, Anderson and Bushman, 2007).
In conclusion, there is a clear difference on how video games may or may not affect children, that is, video games may influence kids to do minor misbehaviours, however not criminal acts. Young kids who do not how to choose right from wrong may use vulgar language after hearing cursing words in video games, nevertheless, they will not act delinquently as a result of playing Grand Theft Auto. The level to which kids are affected by video games ultimately is determined by parents or guardians. Video games are a likely danger to children, however not when parents regulate the games played. Parents hold the power to what happens t...