Poll: Violent videogames more dangerous than guns

[compl3x]

The question was actually "What do you think is a bigger safety threat in America: guns or violent video games?". It doesn't go into detail by asking how big, and what kind, of a threat they believe it actually posses.

In what scenario is a video game more dangerous than a gun?

[Torolol]

while i totaly doubt that video games more dangerous than guns,

but there already exist paper that seeks to ban video games that mocking/insulting prominent political/religious figure.

The PDF can be downloaded from here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57537559-38/u.n-calls-for-anti-terror-internet-surveillance/

[spaceelf]

In what scenario is a video game more dangerous than a gun?

The affect on the mind I believe is what the uneducated would shoot for.

Remember when they said the same things about books? Yeah, me neither. Eventually it'll go away.

[threetonesun]

In what scenario is a video game more dangerous than a gun?

Assuming you had the game on disc, and you cracked the disc to give it a sharp edge, and the gun was unloaded, the game might be more dangerous. I dunno though, getting pistol whipped would probably still win.

[draklin]

Oh i totally believe that video games are so much worse. Imagine what the world would be like now if Hitler and Stalin's moms had made them stop playing video games as kids!

[Detection]

Remove violent video games > people still get shot

Remove guns > People still play violent video games

Hmm.... which to choose....

[Stoffel]

Only in the USA, people have a bigger issue with a bit of nudity, strong language and video games then they do zith objects thqt can actually kill somebody.

Way to go again USA!

Let the rest of the world know when you are ready to enter the 21st century

[ILikeTobacco]

In what scenario is a video game more dangerous than a gun?

A gun doesn't make you kill people is what they are probably thinking. Video games have been proven to have a negative effect on certain people. The key is certain people, meaning generally people with mental issues and violent tendencies to begin with. It's just one more factor on top of others though so to say the video games by themselves is the problem just doesn't cut it. It is no different that people that claim guns are the problem, not the people misusing them. Apathy, violence, and hate are all a growing problem. The fact that I was able to watch people being shot in the head and brain matter going everywhere without it bothering me shows that. And no, it wasn't fake or effects. It was footage from Iraq that you are shown during basic training for the military. Add on top of that a mental health issue and its a formula for disaster. The only thing that sets us apart from 50 years ago is that we are completely use to violence, gore, and hate. Most of use have grown use to it through movies and video games.

Guns and video games shouldn't even be compared because they are not in the same category of problems. Violent media pushes people with mental issues. It is one of many factors. Guns are nothing more than a tool and not the cause. They are not dangerous unless in the hands of an idiot or madman.

Remove violent video games > people still get shot

Remove guns > People still play violent video games

Hmm.... which to choose....

I choose reality.

Remove violent video games > people still get shot by crazies

Remove guns > Law abiding citizens are defenseless against crazies.

Don't remove guns and teach the ignorant > Law abiding citizens have a chance to defend themselves against crazies.

Please stop pretending law abiding citizens only have guns to be criminals that go kill anyone and everyone. Some of us actually have them for self defense, which when used properly, doesn't even require you to fire a single round the majority of the time.

[Guest]

Remove violent video games > people still get shot by crazies

Remove guns > Law abiding citizens are defenseless against by crazies.

I'm a law abiding citizen in a county where we don't allow guns. I don't feel defenceless?

[Open Minded]

well, well, guess everyone needs a scapegoat to blame

Which one? Guns or Games?

[ILikeTobacco]

SK[' timestamp=1360601719' post='595515236]

I'm a law abiding citizen in a county where we don't allow guns. I don't feel defenceless?

Which means you don't have the same crazies we do. Different societies. Stop trying to compare them like we are exactly the same. Every time gun bans have been put into effect, gun violence skyrocketed. What works for you guys doesn't work for us. Same reason our drinking age is higher. Completely different societies. You guys even have a police force that is 100% responsible for your safety. We have no such force. Our safety is 100% our own responsibility.

Fun fact that most people don't know. It is illegal for crazies to buy or own a gun. Never stopped them before.

[Detection]

SK[' timestamp=1360601719' post='595515236]

I'm a law abiding citizen in a county where we don't allow guns. I don't feel defenceless?

Exactly, immature (not all) gun owners use any excuse under the sun to promote and justify keeping them, which is why I have most of them on iggy as above ;)

[ILikeTobacco]

any excuse under the sun to promote and justify keeping them, which is why I have most of them on iggy as above ;)

Any excuse? Fact, criminals in the USA have guns. Fact, when guns are 100% banned, criminals have more guns and use them more openly. Its history. You call people who want to protect themselves immature and you hide behind a wall of lies and ignoring the past. Those are facts. I love how people from other societies always ignore the facts. You tell use to ban all guns because it will stop all gun violence, and ignore that we have already tried that, and it failed miserably, having the exact opposite effect. How about you come up with a real solution now? We already tried the one you keep saying over and over. It failed. Get over it.

[Guest]

Which means you don't have the same crazies we do. Different societies. Stop trying to compare them like we are exactly the same. Every time gun bans have been put into effect, gun violence skyrocketed. What works for you guys doesn't work for us. Same reason our drinking age is higher. Completely different societies.

Fun fact that most people don't know. It is illegal for crazies to buy or own a gun. Never stopped them before.

TBH nothing is going to change as the people have voiced their opinion. The frustration is seeing America trying to come up with another solution. Teachers with guns? I mean come on, just give up and accept that if can't have one without the other.

[compl3x]

A gun doesn't make you kill people is what they are probably thinking. Video games have been proven to have a negative effect on certain people. The key is certain people, meaning generally people with mental issues and violent tendencies to begin with. It's just one more factor on top of others though so to say the video games by themselves is the problem just doesn't cut it. It is no different that people that claim guns are the problem, not the people misusing them. Apathy, violence, and hate are all a growing problem. The fact that I was able to watch people being shot in the head and brain matter going everywhere without it bothering me shows that. And no, it wasn't fake or effects. It was footage from Iraq that you are shown during basic training for the military. Add on top of that a mental health issue and its a formula for disaster. The only thing that sets us apart from 50 years ago is that we are completely use to violence, gore, and hate. Most of use have grown use to it through movies and video games.

Guns and video games shouldn't even be compared because they are not in the same category of problems. Violent media pushes people with mental issues. It is one of many factors. Guns are nothing more than a tool and not the cause. They are not dangerous unless in the hands of an idiot or madman.

You are aware there is no evidence linking video games and real world violence, yes? None. Zip. Nada. And not for a lack of study. It has been studied pretty exhaustively and the conclusion keep coming out the same.

I don't want to turn this into a pro/anti gun topic, there are already plenty of those. We know inanimate objects don't control people, however, we do know that things like high availability of guns, easy access, and improper storage actually do lead gun violence. How can anyone who reads the polling question think video games are more dangerous than actual weapons designed to kill people? Oh, wait, I know: scapegoating. People don't accept guns have a role in gun violence, (perish the thought), just try to palm off the blame onto media. In this case, games. Ridiculous.

I just wonder what the next thing is to find itself blamed.

[ILikeTobacco]

SK[' timestamp=1360602636' post='595515272]

TBH nothing is going to change as the people have voiced their opinion. The frustration is seeing America trying to come up with another solution. Teachers with guns? I mean come on, just give up and accept that if can't have one without the other.

You'd be surprised how many teachers already pack at school. While it isn't legal, there is no way to know if done correctly. If something were to happen, I feel better knowing that my kid would have a defense instead of just being another fish in barrel. The whole lock down idea is absurd. Problem: There is a shooter in the building. Solution: Lock everyone in with him?

[shakey]

If games impacted how people acted in real life, we would see more GTA style running over of people. I grew up playing Mario... I never jumped on a turtle.

[ILikeTobacco]

You are aware there is no evidence linking video games and real world violence, yes? None. Zip. Nada. And not for a lack of study. It has been studied pretty exhaustively and the conclusion keep coming out the same.

I don't want to turn this into a pro/anti gun topic, there are already plenty of those. We know inanimate objects don't control people, however, we do know that things like high availability of guns, easy access, and improper storage actually do lead gun violence. How can anyone who reads the polling question think video games are more dangerous than actual weapons designed to kill people? Oh, wait, I know: scapegoating. People don't accept guns have a role in gun violence, (perish the thought), just try to palm off the blame onto media. In this case, games. Ridiculous.

I just wonder what the next thing is to find itself blamed.

I am not saying they don't have a role. Obviously you can't kill with a gun if you don't have one. What I am saying is that guns are not what cause violence. You claim that there is zero evidence linking the two together is false. Notice though, I am not saying that video games are the sole cause. It is a mixture of factors that lead to violence. Video games are just one of those factors. To reiterate, guns don't cause violence. They are just used in it. Having physical access to a gun doesn't make you kill somebody. Something else leads you to killing somebody, a gun just happened to be the tool used to do it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/9593188/Violent-video-games-make-teenagers-more-aggressive-study-finds.html

[Guest]

Mario promotes eating shooms though. Ban Mario IMO.

[compl3x]

http://www.telegraph...tudy-finds.html

Study links aggression, not violence. It's also a self-reported studdy. I don't know how much we can trust the reliable reporting of a teenager about agression and behaviour.

It takes into account other factors like gender, divorce and smoking dope. It would also be interesting to know about neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault etc. All things which could explain the aggressive behaviour. Ultimately it doesn't solve the issue of whether video games cause violence or whether kids with violent dispositions are more inclined to play violent games.

It's also worth noting that competitive behaviour seems to be the thing that encourages aggression. Which actually makes sense if you've ever played a sport.

[Torolol]

well, American Football, Boxing, Ice-Hockey, Pro-Wrestling also can be viewed violent.

in some countries Pro-Wrestling are also banned from TV airtime.

i like that show though.

[Detection]

SK[' timestamp=1360603305' post='595515312]

Mario promotes eating shooms though. Ban Mario IMO.

If Mario is dangerous, then we really need to do something about Lemmings

[ILikeTobacco]

Study links aggression, not violence. It's also a self-reported studdy. I don't know how much we can trust the reliable reporting of a teenager about agression and behaviour.

It takes into account other factors like gender, divorce and smoking dope. It would also be interesting to know about neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault etc. All things which could explain the aggressive behaviour. Ultimately it doesn't solve the issue of whether video games cause violence or whether kids with violent dispositions are more inclined to play violent games.

It's also worth noting that competitive behavior seems to be the thing that encourages aggression. Which actually makes sense if you've ever played a sport.

Violence doesn't just magically happen out of nowhere. Aggressive people are more likely to be violent. Like I said, its just one of many factors that lead to violence. Someone who is 100% non aggressive and barely any negative influences such as domestic violence, isn't going to be effected the same way. Stop trying to say that I am saying video games is the sole cause. It is one of many influences. I know a few people that have been victims of domestic violence and a girl who was raped. They haven't gone out and killed anyone though. Does that mean those aren't factors to lead to violence like you seem to be suggesting?

[Guest]

Ahem... where's the poll? I feel cheated now.

[compl3x]

Violence doesn't just magically happen out of nowhere. Aggressive people are more likely to be violent. Like I said, its just one of many factors that lead to violence. Someone who is 100% non aggressive and barely any negative influences such as domestic violence, isn't going to be effected the same way. Stop trying to say that I am saying video games is the sole cause. It is one of many influences. I know a few people that have been victims of domestic violence and a girl who was raped. They haven't gone out and killed anyone though. Does that mean those aren't factors to lead to violence like you seem to be suggesting?

When did I say you were?

Where did I say "ILikeTobacco is accusing video games of being the sole cause of violence"? *looks back over earlier posts* Can't find one instance where I said that or anything that could be construed as that.

As far as the domestic violence/rape comment goes: we know those things can predict agressive or violent behaviour. It can also predict drug abuse and self-harm. I didn't say everyone who is a victim turns out that way.

Why do I have to elaborate on that?