Do you think video games contribute to violent behavior?

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February 26, 2013

CNET Community

Dear CNET members,

Before I get started on this week's topic, if you're interested in finding out what's coming down the pike in the world of mobile devices, you have got to check out CNET editors' latest coverage from the 2013 Mobile World Congress -- the trade show devoted to the future of mobile devices! Now, on to this week's hot topic.

According to a new Harris Poll, 58 percent of a group of 2,278 U.S. adults surveyed believe video games contribute to violent behavior in kids. We've seen past and present controversies over violent video games, and when bad stuff happens, the mud-flinging usually starts. People point their fingers at violent games, and the game vendors point to the parents, in a never-ending debate. So who's responsible?

My personal opinion is that, no doubt, some video games are violent. But no matter how violent video games are or get, as long as the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) does a good job of ensuring that there are set ratings for what is appropriate and inappropriate for children, I ultimately hold the parents responsible for what their children are exposed to. I think it is our role as parents to monitor our children's play, and it is also our duty to educate our kids on the differences between games and reality, in case they are exposed to these violent games beyond our supervision.

For me, that's the bottom line, but again, that is my personal opinion. I'm sure some of you disagree, so let me get off of my soapbox so that you can tell us if you think video games contribute to violent behavior in kids. Why or why not? Read the latest Crave blog post titled, "Poll: 58 percent of adults blame games for violent behavior" and sound off in the comment section! And get your vote in the poll.

Lee Koo
Community manager

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Here's what some of your fellow members had to say about this week's topic:
Poll: 58 percent of adults blame games for violent behavior


	"I don't know about other people, but I use video games to play out any violent/angry tendencies I have. I kill people in a video game, get out agression, and when the game is off I feel relaxed and non-violent..." Read more

Posted by Techspat


			"Wow another survey showing that parents are not the least be involved in their childrens' lives. The reason a rating system is there is to enforce the younger kids from NOT getting their hands on it. If a parent just goes out, buys whatever the kid..." Read more

Posted by Blu3bomb3rx


	"We live in a society that is constantly looking for something/someone to blame. Societies ills have been blamed on rock and roll music (work of the devil!), and the AD&D games, and the automobile... it's always something..." Read more

Posted by Marcus Westrup


			"58 percent of adults may blame video games on violent tendencies. 100 percent of me blames violent tendencies on bad parenting. I bet each of those parents that think this way have no sense of taking..." Read more

Posted by A_Garrido13


	Read all members' responses Speak up What are your thoughts? Weigh in on this week's topic. Click here to post your comments


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Who do you think should be responsible for keeping violent video games away from children? (click button to vote)

· Parents (Tell us why.)
· Vendors/retailers (Tell us why.)
· Game developers (Tell us why.)
· Federal/local government (Tell us why.)
· Others (Who is it?)
· I don't know.

Click here to Vote and click here to discuss the poll.


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