It is pretty much common sense that an overload of anything can warp our brains, whether it be drugs, alcohol, and yes, even a violent video game. Parents should be aware of the inherent dangers in playing excessively violent video games because, folks, it is no joke!
The Gorilla was disgusted upon hearing this next story, and the sad thing is, it certainly could have been prevented. Two Colorado teens were babysitting one of the teen’s younger step-sister, when apparently they beat her to death, while playing a game of ‘Mortal Kombat.’ Police say the teens used to “play around” with the younger child, who was only 7 years old and it was not unusual for them to be wrestling and kickboxing. But this time, authorities say, the teens went too far. While playing the game, the two got carried away and started beating and kicking the younger child much more violently than normal. When the girl was unresponsive the two teens panicked and called police. Unfortunately, the girl died shortly later from her injuries, which included internal bleeding, broken bones, and brain injuries. One of the teens was apparently drunk and “didn’t realize how badly he was hurting her.”
Now folks, the Gorilla has heard a lot of stories about teens behaving badly these days, but honestly parents, where the heck do you draw the line? Here’s an idea; when the violent video game enters the home, you take possession of it and throw it in the garbage, with a threat of punishment to your kids if they play it! Or, how about monitoring what your kids are playing by simply watching them and screening what they are allowed to play? Now this certainly could help, but it does beg the question, “what kind of teens were these, regardless of the video game’s apparent influence?”
Mortal Kombat, in case you were wondering, is an extremely violent game, which depicts people (men and women) getting shot, beaten, and killed. It is very bloody and extremely graphic. If you put together already defiant troublesome kids with a game like that, the outcome could obviously be very bad. It is unfortunate that this innocent little girl had to lose her life because of some kind of apparent ignorance. Whether it be the parent’s or the kid’s fault, it is simply irresponsible. Wake up parents! Do you know what your kids are playing?
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I have never believed that playing video games(with my grandchildren) has made me a potential doer of evil anymore than seeing No Country For Old Men with its graphic intense violence is going to make me a serial killer.
I think it’s more what kind of teens were they and that alcohol was the more likely instigator.
January 5th, 2008 at 10:20 am
There’s an old saying, “Custom reconciles us to almost anything” When peoople (both young and old) constantly see violence depicted in various media, they become hardened to it.Their sense of horror and aversion becomes dulled, and they no longer respond “normally” with fear and/or outrage.
Consider that we’re now well into several successive generations of children growing up with litttle or no adult supervision. The television is the substitute babysitter, and more often than not what it displays is not conducive to “a kinder, gentler society.” We can expect more of same.