The recent research showing that playing violent video games can sharply improve visual attention skills doesn't budge John Murray.
The professor of developmental psychology at Kansas State University said he doesn't believe anyone should play violent video games. He cites studies showing that children who watch violence use violence and notes that these video games often use minorities or women as the targets of violence.
Murray doesn't believe these games are harmless and he certainly doesn't think this research showing there may be a bonus to playing shooting games should be seen as a bonus.
"Acquiring a skill shouldn't come at such a high cost," Murray said of the visual perception study.
Murray said many studies have shown that kids who watch violence, use violence. But video games are even more dangerous as the player is put into violent situations and then acts them out.
He said pre-teenagers, mostly boys, like these games for many reasons, including control, the violence and the erotic nature of some of the games -- which Murray calls a potent mix.
Many of the victims in violent games are women or minorities, Murray said. And pre-teenagers, the main consumers, are just learning how to get along with others, especially those of the opposite sex.
"These games teach very macho, angry thoughts of how to behave with women," he said. K-State graduate student Michelle Krehbiel is currently researching the reasons for the rapid recent increase in teen dating violence. Although she has not shown its relation to violent games, Murray said these games reach children at a very impressionable time, showing them violent ways to interact with women.
Although parents can refuse to buy or let children play violent video games in their own home, everything changes when kids are at a friend's home. Murray said it's important for parents to make it clear to their children that they don't want them playing violent games.
"Make your feelings known," Murray suggests. "Keep up that drumbeat and your children will hear it and it will make them feel a little anxious about playing the games -- it does put a small voice in their head. Parents have used guilt very effectively for many years and making your boys feel a little guilty about these games might be OK." He said it's also very important that parents tell their children why they don't want them playing violent games.
"Make your feelings known and tell them why you don't like these games," Murray said. "You can't control them all of the time, but you can tell them how you feel about it."
And Murray isn't just giving this advice -- he's put it to use raising two sons.
"I sympathize with parents," Murray said. "I've had plenty of discussions with my children about violent video games."
NOT ALL VIDEO GAMES ARE BAD
Although Murray does not advocate anyone play violent video or computer games, he said he sees the value in allowing children to play other types of electronic games.
"Video games in general aren't bad," he said. "There are a lot of interesting games out there that teach skills and demystify the computer."
Games such as SimCity, for example, teach problem-solving and reasoning skills, Murray said. He also recommends encouraging girls to try out video and computer games -- most of these entertainment forms are geared toward boys, who may gain computer skills while girls are left behind.
Murray adds that parents shouldn't be afraid to allow their children to begin playing video or computer games as soon as they want to start playing -- there are many entertaining and educational games out there for children. However, he does recommend setting priorities with children -- telling them that homework comes first, for example. And when parents set rules with their children, Murray suggests making them simple and easy to implement and enforce.
"Any amount of time is too much if that's all they do," Murray said of video games and television viewing. If a kid doesn't have friends or hobbies, perhaps they are spending too much time in front of the television or computer. And if they do have other interests and partake in other activities, parents shouldn't worry too much about the time they spend with electronic entertainment.
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