PLAYING WITH DEATH

Michael Brody M.D.

Chair Television and Media Committee American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

 Violence is used to sell non-toys, fast food and problem solving by aggression. Movies, TV and video games contain too much violence for young children.  

This presentation focuses on Video gaming, as we now spend twice the money on this media, than we do going to the movies. The core gaming audience is an 8-14 year old male.  

Blood, decapitation, guns, knifes, mutilations and death are presented in color, sound and ever more realistic graphics. You only win by killing. Women are minor characters in these games. Often victims.  

Kids who watch violent TV, play more video games. Video game play correlates with aggression, which is seen to be the primary emotional response to playing.  

These games are not toys or even games in the traditional sense. Video games do little to act as catalysts for the telling of a child's own stories which real toys do.  

And now with The new Platforms - like the X Box and PS2 a kid can now connect and challenge others on- line. Our unregulated Cyberspace serves as the new arena for more Blood and Destruction.