The Topic:
The topic I have chosen to blog about is the issue of young children playing inappropriate/ violent video games. Even though the ratings say you have to be 18 to play the game, some parents don't know the game nor do they care. Many children are hearing about the games from their friends and beg their parents to get it for them. Even if the child is not playing the game, he/she is seeing it advertised on TV and some are intrigued by these ads. There are so many negative consequences of playing violent video games, and it puts the world in danger by encouraging bad behavior and violence. I feel strongly against children playing M rated games because I can see the side effects it puts on them.
My Experience:
While I was interning at an Elementary School just last year, I had the opportunity of getting to know many third grade students. I learned about their life inside the classroom as well as outside. As I read the journals of some students, I was shocked to learn what their imaginations could come up with. Their stories involved killing people, weapons and just obscene situations that were all negative. When I asked them why they chose to write about such violence, most replied that they see it happen in the video games they play. This was the moment I realized that these sweet little kids were being corrupted by such aggressive video games at home. My dream is to become an Elementary School teacher so knowing that these 9 year olds were playing such games infuriated me. Young kids like these should not be playing games that promote bad behavior. I want what's best for all young children, but allowing them to play such games is not helping them whatsoever.
The Letter:
I wrote a letter to the Mechanicsville Elementary, the school I interned at. Because I know the students are playing violent video games in that school, I decided to send a letter to their PTA (Parent Teacher Association). Who better to ask to get involved than the parents themselves? I'm reaching out mostly to parents because they are the most influential when it comes to their children, but that doesn't mean that others can't help too. Any Elementary School could receive my letter in all actuality, but Mechanicsville was one that was close to my heart.
I know that I cannot ask gaming companies such as Wii, PlayStation or X Box to stop selling Rated M video games, but what I could have done is send a letter to their advertisers asking that they stop putting their ads on TV. If the ads aren't on TV, many more children will not know some of the games, therefore won't play them.
Get Involved:
Want to help fight against children playing violent video games? Spread the word and inform parents about the negatives of these games. Discourage children from playing such games and promote anti violence. If you are a parent, get involved with your child's game play by reviewing the game before you give it to them or play the game with them. The best thing you can do is know what games are safe for children to play. By doing all of these, you can keep kids away from the bad and show them more friendly behaviors that will help them succeed in the future.
The Project:
This blog is a class project in which students find a cause and make a change. No more ignoring the facts, it's time to speak up and fight the issue! We want to inform and persuade the world to make a change because sometimes a few words can go a long way.
More topics by other classmates can be reviewed at the following link: www.studentprojectsmakechange.blogspot.com
