Video games are used by “children” in all ages all over the world. There are lots of game types in different platforms. Some games are meant for young kids, some for older kids and some for people over the age of 18. It is this type of videogames with the 18 years age limit I’m going to explain about.
There is one common thing most of these games contain, that is violence. Games like “Assassin’s creed”, “World of Warcraft”, “Battlefield” and “Call of Duty” are all games you can shoot other people. You can also fight with all sorts of guns, knives, axes, chain saw or your fists. You can see the details very closely and realistic, like you can hear people scream as they die. Some games has a this age limit because of drug abuse or sexual content. Some games contain all these things. One of the best examples here is “Grand theft auto”; it has an age limit of 18. You are able to play in different modes like car races and different kind of missions. The worst thing about this game is however “the walk around” mode. Here you are able to walk around and kill people just for fun. There are almost no limits for who you can kill, except children. Old ladies as well as random bystanders might be a target. Watch the video and see for yourself.
Caution. This video shows in a very violent way, how GTA can be.
I’m sure it affects people in one way or another, to walk around and shoot people down without any purpose. That does scientists too (Have an extra look at the conclusion at the bottom of the link). I believe this especially affects kids’ way under the age limit. My experience is that many pupils down to 10 years are familiar with this game. The age limits are set by a reason and here is the main issue: how can a teacher avoid pupils to play violent video games at home? The most important thing is to talk about it both with the pupils and the parents. For you as a teacher it is necessary to have a minimum of knowledge about these kinds of games. As a teacher you will often hear pupils talk about games they play. As soon you hear this it may be wise to talk about it generally to the entire class. It is also wise to either talk to the pupil’s parents or as a generally case on the next parents meeting. The second is maybe the best, since if one pupil has tried one video game the others soon will follow. Hopefully parents won’t buy these kinds of games for their kids either.
If one kid’s parents have said no to a game, kids often play the game at someone else’s boy’s room. Or they have maybe an older brother who play the game and start that way. Pupils are very interested in telling what other pupils are allowed to, so a parents meeting is a nice platform to bust some claims about others.
I think it’s also important for parents to take part in their children’s video gaming. Most parents won’t let their child watch a film with a higher age limit just like that. Parents watch films with their children, so why not find a video game that interest both the parents and the children and play it together. Then they have a common platform, and it will be easier for parents to engage themselves when high age limit games pop up.
