Boys, teens, and even adults around the world have taken a love, and even in some cases an addiction, to the latest video games for Xbox, Play Station, and other gaming systems. The most popular of these gaming themes have become war, shooting and fighting, such as Halo, Call of Duty, Modern Warfare, and so much more. The question I ask is; are these video games, with real life weaponry and the recurring goal of eliminating the enemy teaching the wrong things?
I'm not just talking about moral lessons, but educating them on the use, build, technology, and mechanics behind the many weapons. Boys ranging from ages 8 and up are becoming professionals on scoping, silencing, fatal shots, and what weapon works best in what situation. Not only are the names of the guns a well known fact, but the basic workings of guns, grenades, mines, ballistic knives, and so much more. What was once a high valued skill of being able to create a gun, hit a target, and able to plan strategic attacks on "enemies" has become as common in children and teens as the ability to ride a bike.
Those not old enough for the M rated games simply ask parents, friends, or siblings to purchase the game for them, and then watch calmly as virtual people are shot with realistic effects such as blood and pain. Not only is it the weapons, but adolescents are no longer able to differ between death in the games and death in real life. No longer are they fazed by real blood, death, killing, and murder. In fact, it's "cool" to be able to shoot a gun, and pride is taken in "head-shots" and "no-scope kills." Should we not be concerned by this?
Increased knowledge in modern weaponry, the ability to kill in a game without a hint of the feeling of wrong, and the inability to tell the difference between death and murder in games and real life. Are we not encouraging through our games what our soldiers, human’s rights groups and politicians are trying to dissuade?
