Response letter for article Video Game Violence by Mark and Keisha Essay

Response letter for article Video Game Violence by Mark and Keisha Hoerrner - Essay Example For this reason, it is necessary to consider the skills the game is trying to teach your child. If the game emphasizes on shooting, killing, robbery and other antisocial behaviors, it may not be a good idea to purchase it. Video games reward their players for various behaviors. In most violent video games, behaviors such as shooting and killing are highly rewarded with points (Anderson& Warburton, 2012). As your child continues to play these games, he is encouraged to do more of the killings and shootings in order to earn more points (Hoerrner & Hoerrner, 2006). These activities, although violent in nature, attract the biggest rewards. Since your child is still developing, it is likely that he will grow up cherishing violence. Therefore, the video game you purchase for your child will make him gravitate towards negative social action over time. Because video games increase the child’s appetite for violence, he is likely to want more of this entertainment as he grows; both in real life and in the gaming world (Gentile & Anderson, 2003). These games train children to view the world as a dangerous place in which they have to constantly look for enemies and other threats. Unfortunately, the only wa y of dealing with such threats, as promoted in these games, is through violence (Giumetti & Markey, 2007). Because of the link between video games and violent behavior, it is important for you as a parent to understand the ratings given to the various games. In the article by Mark and Keisha Hoerrner (2006), it is noted that it is the responsibility of parents and society to understand what is being told in these video games. Before making the purchase, it is necessary to check the ratings of the game you intend to buy. This will help in purchasing a video game that is appropriate to the level and age of the child. In these games, elements such as