ra912 asked:


I’ve met a few parents over the years who have been concerned about their kids playing Grand Theft Auto (and other violent games). Though I am a proud gamer myself, I felt obligated to fill them in on the possible effects of playing GTA or other similar games (based only on my readings in Social Psychology, not on any research on videogames per se). These include positive conditioning towards and desensitization to violent behavior, use of deadly weapons, prostitution, etc. There are others, but I can’t call them to mind presently.

Of course, I know that playing videogames, like most media, can serve as a double-edged sword. I got to thinking that maybe there was a way for kids (and even adults) to enjoy videogames without the negative effects.

So, how would you go about inoculating gamers from these effects? Furthermore, how would you undo these effects in those that have already played their share of GTA? I would have made this my thesis if not for various constraints.

Any ideas?