Self Control vs. State Regulation

penguindust

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Edited By penguindust

In the days following the mass shooting in Germany , public policy advisers are presenting changes to legislature that would ban the sale of "addictive" games to all minors under legal adult age. A study of approximately 45,000 students was made focusing on their online and computer gaming habits. The results, as interpreted by the investigators, demonstrated that 20% of the survey pool were addicted to games with 23,000 more in danger of becoming addicted. Two of the games mentioned in the study were World of Warcraft and Counter Strike.

An argument can be made that anything can become addictive if boundaries are not established concerning reasonable use. Everything from shopping to pornography to gambling carries the risk of becoming a compulsive behavior. These addictions are not the same as drugs or alcohol, where a foreign chemical is introduced to the body affecting the brain; however they can have similar characteristics. The behavior becomes repetitive without rational motivation leading to destructive consequences. The addict is unwilling and unable to break free from the cycle.

Some video games, like World of Warcraft, freely admit that there is a potential for abuse. As you log in, reminders urging the player to get out and experience other things flash across the bottom of the screen. From my own experience, I understand the "siren's song" of such game play. I'm not sure if I was ever addicted, however, I know that I chose Warcraft over all other games when I had time to play games. The social demand kept me returning. I felt I had an obligation to my fellow guild mates to be available for whatever opportunities that might arise during the course of each evening. I also had a responsibility to get better for the team. Every hour spent playing something else was time that could have been used improving my Warcraft characters, so that when group events were initiated, my avatars would be able to not only hold their own weight, but pick up the slack of others, improving the overall dynamic of the experience. In essence, it was like a job.

Of course, I am an adult. My decisions have repercussions and I accept that. At this stage in my life, I understand the extent to which my actions can influence my wellness as well as those around me, but what about those unable to fully comprehend this for themselves? Children are protected from potential hazards, first and foremost, by their parents. However, it does not end there. Society as a whole recognizes that for the benefit of the community, restrictions must be placed on some forms of behavior. Minors, still in the process of developing into adults, are afforded the strongest oversight. Certain goods, such as alcohol and cigarettes, are bound from children until they reach a specific age. Gambling and other forms of entertainment deemed inappropriate for minors are also prohibited by state laws. Even sexual relationships between two consenting partners can lead to societal intervention if one or both are considered to be too young. It is the duty of government to protect the weakest among us. Sometimes that means limiting the ability of children to act on their desires until they are better able to understand all the choices available to them.

I can really waste noobs with one of these!

So, where does that place video games? Germany may seek to impede underage gamers from purchasing certain games without parental approval. In theory, this is no different than what is already in effect in many countries. Games of a decidedly graphic nature aren't allowed to be sold to minors beneath a specific age. What would change is what is considered harmful to children if they proceed with the researcher's suggestions. If Blizzard, by their own warnings, admits that their product can become addicting, and if society already restricts other potentially addictive forms of entertainment from children, shouldn't games like World of Warcraft be restricted, as well? It certainly falls to the parent to oversee the use of such games, just as it is their responsibility to monitor alcohol consumption or credit card debt. New laws would not deny a parent from deciding that their child is mature enough to handle extended play of Counter Strike, they would only deny minors from buying the games without parental approval. Perhaps by doing so, parents would become aware of the risks attributed to such games.

What do you think? Is it in society's best interest to regulate the sale of "addictive" games to minors or has government overstepped its bounds by emplacing these barriers between the seller and purchaser? Is it "no big deal" or another sign of "the nanny-state" trying to legislate good behavior? Would you be affected if similar laws were enacted in your homeland? If you weren't affected, would that change your opinion?

Study source: http://www.welt.de/english-news/article3391625/Counter-Strike-does-not-teach-teen-violence.html

15 years ago

penguindust

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#1 Edited By penguindust

In the days following the mass shooting in Germany , public policy advisers are presenting changes to legislature that would ban the sale of "addictive" games to all minors under legal adult age. A study of approximately 45,000 students was made focusing on their online and computer gaming habits. The results, as interpreted by the investigators, demonstrated that 20% of the survey pool were addicted to games with 23,000 more in danger of becoming addicted. Two of the games mentioned in the study were World of Warcraft and Counter Strike.

An argument can be made that anything can become addictive if boundaries are not established concerning reasonable use. Everything from shopping to pornography to gambling carries the risk of becoming a compulsive behavior. These addictions are not the same as drugs or alcohol, where a foreign chemical is introduced to the body affecting the brain; however they can have similar characteristics. The behavior becomes repetitive without rational motivation leading to destructive consequences. The addict is unwilling and unable to break free from the cycle.

Some video games, like World of Warcraft, freely admit that there is a potential for abuse. As you log in, reminders urging the player to get out and experience other things flash across the bottom of the screen. From my own experience, I understand the "siren's song" of such game play. I'm not sure if I was ever addicted, however, I know that I chose Warcraft over all other games when I had time to play games. The social demand kept me returning. I felt I had an obligation to my fellow guild mates to be available for whatever opportunities that might arise during the course of each evening. I also had a responsibility to get better for the team. Every hour spent playing something else was time that could have been used improving my Warcraft characters, so that when group events were initiated, my avatars would be able to not only hold their own weight, but pick up the slack of others, improving the overall dynamic of the experience. In essence, it was like a job.

Of course, I am an adult. My decisions have repercussions and I accept that. At this stage in my life, I understand the extent to which my actions can influence my wellness as well as those around me, but what about those unable to fully comprehend this for themselves? Children are protected from potential hazards, first and foremost, by their parents. However, it does not end there. Society as a whole recognizes that for the benefit of the community, restrictions must be placed on some forms of behavior. Minors, still in the process of developing into adults, are afforded the strongest oversight. Certain goods, such as alcohol and cigarettes, are bound from children until they reach a specific age. Gambling and other forms of entertainment deemed inappropriate for minors are also prohibited by state laws. Even sexual relationships between two consenting partners can lead to societal intervention if one or both are considered to be too young. It is the duty of government to protect the weakest among us. Sometimes that means limiting the ability of children to act on their desires until they are better able to understand all the choices available to them.

So, where does that place video games? Germany may seek to impede underage gamers from purchasing certain games without parental approval. In theory, this is no different than what is already in effect in many countries. Games of a decidedly graphic nature aren't allowed to be sold to minors beneath a specific age. What would change is what is considered harmful to children if they proceed with the researcher's suggestions. If Blizzard, by their own warnings, admits that their product can become addicting, and if society already restricts other potentially addictive forms of entertainment from children, shouldn't games like World of Warcraft be restricted, as well? It certainly falls to the parent to oversee the use of such games, just as it is their responsibility to monitor alcohol consumption or credit card debt. New laws would not deny a parent from deciding that their child is mature enough to handle extended play of Counter Strike, they would only deny minors from buying the games without parental approval. Perhaps by doing so, parents would become aware of the risks attributed to such games.

What do you think? Is it in society's best interest to regulate the sale of "addictive" games to minors or has government overstepped its bounds by emplacing these barriers between the seller and purchaser? Is it "no big deal" or another sign of "the nanny-state" trying to legislate good behavior? Would you be affected if similar laws were enacted in your homeland? If you weren't affected, would that change your opinion?

Study source: http://www.welt.de/english-news/article3391625/Counter-Strike-does-not-teach-teen-violence.html

15 years ago

Tireyo

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#2 Edited By Tireyo

WOW! This is starting to get serious! You might remember me posting a blog similar to this on advise to parent's about videogames, and what videogames can influence to kids. It's a very controversial issue.

Right now, It's a little hard for me to say what might be right or wrong on what they should or might do, but I know that it's the parent's responsibility to know what thier kids have. Also, ESRB ratings can be helpful if parents know what they are.

15 years ago

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