Post: Bully for You?
Bully for You?
Controversial video game Bully comes out on the market today. The teen-rated game, called "a Columbine simulator" by outspoken video game critic Jack Thompson, stars a 15-year-old bad kid at tough, twisted boarding school.
According to the game description, players "stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks, and more, as [they work their] way up the school's social ladder." One screen shot show the hero being held and beaten, other images show students holding sticks, bats, and other weapons.
Whether or not you think this game is worth the trouble it's caused, Bully's release provides a good opportunity to send out a reminder to parents: Dozens of studies have found a connection between playing violent video games and increased aggressive thoughts and actions.
If you are going to let your teens play this game -- or any game featuring violence, in a school setting or otherwise -- you need to have a conversation: What is appealing about this game? How do you feel after you play it? Does anything in the game ring true to life? Even asking your kids what they think of recent attempts to limit the game's sale could provide a good place to start.
There are 3 replies to this post
Date: October 17, 2006
Of course, I kinda expected CSM to make Bully out as someting it isn't. You're actually encouraged to go to class, stick to the curfew and generally stay out of trouble. But that really doesn't matter, since the title alone is good fodder for the ban-the-video-games crowd. And how can you guys defend Jack Thompson? Unbelieveable.
Link: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/jack-thompson/th
Date: October 17, 2006
Calling Thompson an "outspoken video game critic" is hardly defending him. It's the truth. He's outspoken like a sweaty pig is, um, sweaty.
But Bully's been controversial since it was first announced over a year ago. Can't wait to play and find out if it was worth the hype.
Date: October 18, 2006
Here is also another reminder to parents: these dozens of studies are conducted in artificial laboratory settings, subject to demand characteristics, and are not relevant in the real world. The finding on aggressive thoughts seems irrelevant. Everyone has aggressive thoughts from time to time; they don't harm anyone. What does have an impact is when people choose to act on their thoughts.