Sicoterapistas alemanes exigen prohibir los videojuegos de asesinatos por computadora

November 30, 2007 (LPAC)--The following translated press release on the truthful psychological effects of violent video games, dated 11-28-2007, is from the Society for Scientific Discussion Psychotherapy (GwG), the largest organization of its kind in Europe:

With tips for parents as to how they can recognize brutal computer games and can protect their children from them.

 

Brutal Computer Games Destroy Compassion -No Killer Games for Christmas

 

Psychotherapists demand the prohibition of computer games in which young people are rewarded for the killing and torture of human beings. Such games are increasingly marketed in a toned down manner as "shooter games." The idea of media literacy frequently functions as a smokescreen,-- today, children and teenagers need "media education."

Cologne: Surveys show that computer games are a huge business for the manufacturer in the Christmas economic boom. For most of the teenage users, violence-promoting games are a catastrophe from the standpoint of their psychological development-- that is the experience of many specialized staff members of the Society for Scientific Discussion Psychotherapy (GwG), from psychotherapeutic counseling centers and school psychological services. The GwG is the largest European professional association for psychotherapy and counseling. It now demands that games which glorify violence be legally prohibited, so that the basic consensus of a humane society is preserved. "Killer games are like landmines for the soul," says Elke Ostbomk-Fischer, university lecturer and a member of the GwG. "The media disregard of young people has reached such a terrifying scale in recent years, that politically responsible persons have to immediately take action, before an entire generation of children and teenagers are sucked into a maelstrom of violence."

Elke Ostbomk-Fischer is thus in agreement with leading criminologists and scientists, who are critical of the media. "Many of these games are inhuman and violate the Basic Law (the German constitution). Therefore, their production and distribution are liable to prosecution."

More and more, younger children are losing their natural compassion, when they are immersed for hours and days in the most brutal action-world, in which destruction and killing are experienced as amusement and fascination. Particularly, young people are frequently affected by this. They behave more aggressively, and can hardly be won over to social rules of human cooperation. An increasing number of teenagers spend more time with addictive PC-games than in school. "Many parents feel increasingly helpless and desperate in the face of the overwhelming power of the media. Often their children chide them for being backward, if they react skeptically to the child's desire for a gift," says Karl-Otto Hentze, psychotherapist and General Secretary of the GwG. Children who are versed in the Internet, frequently persuade their parents with arguments circulated on the Internet by scientists associated with the computer industry.

What are Killer Games?

According to the "Bundesrat (upper house) Printed Page 2007-0001-0100/ 76-07" they are "game programs, which represent cruel or otherwise inhuman violent actions against human beings or human-like creatures, and enable the player to participate in displayed violent actions of such a type." Games like these were originally developed for the U.S. military as simulations of war. They have the objective of breaking down the inhibitions which soldiers have against killing, and of increasing their "killer-efficiency." The U.S. military psychologist David Grossman urgently warns that these methods of conditioning to violence work in the same way with children and teenagers, when they intensively play such violence-oriented programs.

"Media Education" instead of Media Literacy"

Game manufacturers have misappropriated the concept of "media literacy" for a long time. The companies finance research and continuing education projects for "more media literacy." They have an interest, of course, in preventing the legal prohibition of killer games. Some experts support them in this with arguments such as, for example, "prohibitions only increase the appeal." (That would also apply to red stop lights, to theft, and even to murder.) They have an additional strategy of evaluating computer games as "objects of cultural value." "Media literacy" in this sense, promotes the precise knowledge of game types, equipment and technical details. Killing and violence can thus be accepted as an "artistic convention."

Media Education includes Education of the Heart

In contrast, media education includes education of the heart. The basic principle is the explicit orientation to the ethical conventions of human rights. The overall concept and standard is the Basic Law (German constitution). "Media education" promotes a cooperative culture of association with one's fellow man. Without critical training, it is difficult to distinguish reasonably educated advice from sales-promotional advice.

Form your own judgment

The following questions will help you to evaluate a computer game for yourself:

1. In the game, do persons and creatures appear:

• to deal with others in a degrading manner?
• to deprive the others of their rights, or to drive them from their homes?
• to rob others of their property or to destroy their homes?

2. In the game, are persons or creatures:

• threatened and put in great anxiety?
• intentionally inflicted with pain?
• tortured or threatened with torture?
• Are their limbs hacked off?
• Are they strangled, or is their neck broken?
• Are they injured by weapons?
• Are they killed by a deliberate shot in the head, or lacerated by bombs?

3. Are there other examples of inhuman and cruel treatments? Are such treatments:

• assessed as a success?
• represented as an amusement?
• rewarded with approval?

4. In the game, are clear and realistic references lacking:

• to the injustice of cruel deeds?
• to the suffering of people to whom something cruel has been done?
• to consequences for which the perpetrators are held responsible?

5. In the game, are nonviolent opportunities for a solution lacking?

• Are suggestions for cooperativeness, considerateness and social responsibility lacking?
• Are examples lacking in which the prevention of violence is recognized as a benefit?

6. With this computer game, would your child himself be the person who does something malicious and cruel to others, and is thus successful?

If you have to answer "yes" to several of these questions, then consider precisely what your child will learn with this game.

How can parents and educational specialists protect your children from brutal computer games?

• Attempt to be a good role model in the areas which are important for your child.
• Challenge the critical arguments which speak in favor of the violence-glorifying media. In the process, pay attention to your own feelings and your common sense. Do not trust the age-ratings on the game packages. The protection of minors is insufficient here.
• Computer games cost a lot of money and time. Often the purchase of the equipment and accessories is necessary. Do not be pressured to pay out more money than your financial situation permits.
• Observe how your children deal with the media. This is simpler when the PC is jointly used in a central room. The same is also true for the TV.
• Show interest in what your child learns, experiences and feels.
• Accompany and support your child in practicing with the modern media. Thus, you will also notice in time, if your child gets caught up in Internet sites and games which you regard as unsuitable or even dangerous.
• Speak with your child openly about possible problems. Do not reproach your child,-- he has not invented these contents.
• A "good discussion" means: All participants make an effort to sincerely understand the perception of the others. That includes: - to listen to one another. - to allow each person to finish what he is saying. - not to deprecate or to ridicule utterances.
• These rules should also apply when you cannot permit games, because, for example, they infringe upon the dignity of man in a gross manner, and work against your educational goals. If you are at a loss and are very distressed about your child, you can access the help and support of a counseling center.