Ethnics of Digital Gaming

a) According to the film, what are some pros and cons of playing video games for individuals and societies? PROS:

• Can be used as a recruiting method for the Military or other groups
• Can be used as an alternative therapeutic method for kids coping with disease, for example playing a game called "Remission" for a boy with Leukemia that treats him about issues such as chemotherapy treatment.
  

CONS:

• Some arguments suggest that violent games can encourage similar behavior in the non-virtual world.
• Playing video games frequently goes against some of the basic things that we consider important in contemporary society such as live social interaction and also physical activity. Participating in these activities in a simulated reality is not a valid substitute.
  

b) According to the film, is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world? Do you agree?

• A brain study showed links between playing violent games and aggressive brain activity, though not necessarily actual aggressive actions.
• In one case, a boy who had only handled a gun once in real life but had significant experience shooting to kill in the virtual world had not only nearly perfect accuracy but also showed a level of desensitization in his ability to shoot his victims in the face.

c) Should governments have the right to ban certain games? Why or why not?
This is a difficult issue because government censorship can be a slippery slope resulting in more things banned than one would initially desire. However I feel that if enough hard evidence can be drawn to make connections between violent games and real life aggressive and dangerous behavior some government action should be taken for the general safety of the public.

I think what is most important is to inform people (especially parents) on these types of issues and helping them to differentiate on their own which games might be dangerous to use. Since perfect education on any topic seems impossible, the best solution may be some sort of government restrictions limiting the use of these types of games but not all together banning them. A rating system (I think some countries already have this?) like what we see with film seems like a good solution to this, only allowing people over 18 to purchase games with potentially harmful content.

d) Interview with classmates:

• Name: Penny
  
• Game: The Sims
  
• Why do you like it? You can control the people, and you can have things that you can't have in real life, for example pets. Also you can make yourself look however you want to look, you can change your face or your hair easily if you don't like what you have to start with.
  
• Does this game encourage any ways of thinking or behavior that you find questionable or worrying? It might make people respect real life less and not appreciate the life they have or the things they have in it as much.