Tim Gordon

1
Tim Gordon

• Violent Video Games in Society

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Overview

• Multiple interpretations of the research
• Computers as teachers

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Negative View

• Violent media seeds violence in all children
• By watching and participating in violent media
  children
• Come to accept violence as acceptable
• Find it difficult to come up with non-violent
  solutions
• It is only a matter of time before enough
  evidence and research has been collected before
  everyone is convinced

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Positive View

• Very little research has been conducted
• That which has been conducted has been flawed and
  done poorly
• There is no indication of long term harm
• The only reasonable conclusion from existing
  research is that violent people are attracted to
  violent games

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UK View
Gaby Hinsliff The Observer, Sunday May 21 2006
Playing computer games may actually be good for
children, according to a government study that
found no proof that even violent games triggered
aggressive behaviour. The games can improve
children's decision-making and instil 'positive
learning traits', some research suggests. At
least one study argues that make-believe violence
helps children 'conquer fears and develop a sense
of identity', as gruesome fairytales once
did. The review was ordered by ministers over
concerns about possible links between
bloodthirsty games and real-life violence. The
fatal stabbing of 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah,
whose attacker was said to have been obsessed
with a game called Manhunt, prompted a campaign
by his mother to have violent titles banned. The
review concluded fears about violent games
reflected deeper social concerns about 'the
changing nature of childhood in a modern world'.
Most research suggesting a link came from America
and did not take into account the context in
which children played. Ministers have discussed
age-labelling of games and are understood to be
planning talks with the industry about helping
parents choose titles.
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Computers as Teachers

• Reading
• Math
• Critical thinking
• Dancing
• Skateboarding
• Sports
• Sharpshooting