Why Blaming Video Games for Violence is Wrong | NYT Opinion

[@treypoling]

I wouldn’t consider this an “opinion,” I would consider it as a fact.

[@petewenzel2725]

@Trey Poling Some opinions are true you know. Most of mine for example...

[@TeknoSquirrel]

Yeah, but it's important to draw the distinction with opinion pieces.

[@PartnershipsForYou]

Republicans hate facts

[@failtolawl]

Why is this a fact?

[@TeknoSquirrel]

@@failtolawl Because they feel self-righteous about it. I'd agree though.

[@Silvannetwork]

It has always irked me when people actually believed video games are the cause for gun violence in the US. Video games are present in pretty much every other country. The rampant gun violence seen in the US on the other hand is uncommon in other Western countries, that have the same games.

[@khristienpennanen1810]

@@kadokrokrosner9260 its per person to account for population difference

[@tjam.]

Woah, is that a Hotline Miami fan? That's rare 0_0

[@ernestohernandez9370]

@seeker of the true knowledge so just video games??? what about violent movies? what about violent lyrics in music??? what about the one that destroys the mind pornography??? so all that is not a problem just video games ok got you makes a lot of sense.

[@mk3a]

Learned that it’s the same with Brazil

[@ShielaTV]

True... It's because of their life style and upbringing.

[@darkenkgb5812]

I played minecraft for four years NOW I WANT TO STEAL ALL THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS

[@Cactuardude]

I have played tetris for a second I have killed millions

[@tctyt]

r/videogamescauseviolence

[@everyonesfavoritecaptain335]

I played animal crossing

[@lindylou538]

@@everyonesfavoritecaptain335 and you want to start a mafia empire

[@everyonesfavoritecaptain335]

Dev 1977 indeed

[@eliemitri7685]

Scientist: "I have a few hypothesis on what causes violence. - Societal bad influence - Childhood abuse and neglect - Lack of gun control - Low Self-esteem ..." Politician: "I see. And what solution do you propose?" Scientist: "Maybe we could create gun control law?" Politician: "IT'S ALL BCS OF VIDEO GAMES!!! BURN THEM ALL!!!"

[@ninjaked1265]

Gun control doesn’t work

[@NeoArashi]

NinjaKED12 “Gun control doesn’t work”? Say that to Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and pretty much every developped countries. I am aware that gun Control is not the only solution, but it’s probably not a coicidence that the US has the highest gun violence rate in the developped world while having the most lax gun control laws of the same part of the world.

[@m1a2abrams52]

Gun control only applies to good people, criminals dont care about the law

[@TheLegendaryColorFixer_REDMIST]

Politicians are corrupt especially trump calling the people who want justice 4 George Floyd terrorists

[@Mangost8en]

Scientist: "bruh"

[@POCAHONTA13]

Finally a news network with some logic

[@unassumingaccount395]

Fox news was the only one who blamed it on video games lmao

[@toone1562]

Sometimes....

[@randomchannel1519]

3 weeks later NYT: "lets abolish free speech online".

[@unassumingaccount395]

@@randomchannel1519 says the anime pfp lol

[@Real_Mick3y6]

NYT never makes sense. No major news media does. This is one of the few times it does

[@D347h54rg3n7]

WHEN YOU HEAR THE VOICE AND KNOW IT'S LEVEL CAP

[@MikoHecate]

How did he get into NYTimes vid :O

[@Honestry_]

I remember his bf4 vids good times

[@zlatko8051]

Ja

[@D347h54rg3n7]

​@@Honestry_ I remember BF4 Great Times

[@julianviefers6703]

@@MikoHecate i dont care the important thing is he did

[@mosesmurillo6479]

Playing COD doesn't make me a solider Playing Madden doesn't make me a football player Playing Minecraft doesn't make me a expert survivalist Playing NASCAR doesn't make me a racer Playing Dragon Ball doesn't make me a Super Saiyan Playing WWE doesn't make a pro wrestler Playing Spider-Man Ps4 doesn't make me a Super hero Playing GTA doesn't make me a criminal Playing games don't make you cause violence

[@goutamboppana961]

Reading books not always make me smart

[@basedturu2320]

With that "Video game cause violence" argument I'm not surprise if i see , talking , hearing , walk , people called me discriminate people with disability

[@talhajubair2426]

@@basedturu2320 like yeah pressing buttons isnt the same like a real life gun button

[@mr.preston1632]

Why would playing minecraft make me a demolitionist

[@PreciousAlpschindler]

Playing Wii Fit doesn’t make me fit

[@coke1011]

Video games has had the complete opposite effect than what the GOP/media are claiming. They’ve helped introverts connect with all kinds of communities and probably saved millions from depression.

[@ralseidafluffyboi7798]

Some people blame smartphones, computers and other similar stuff for depression and anxiety and I'm slowly losing brain cells

[@coke1011]

Ralsei da fluffy boi well it’s a statistical fact that social media has increased anxiety and depression

[@Real_Mick3y6]

I don't get why you say the GOP in particular. Both sides have said that, we don't need more division

[@kokopelli13]

People said the same thing about comics in the 60s...

[@chilldoc9638]

Lonkus Donkus and movies and books, and tv

[@lindylou538]

@@chilldoc9638 I see you everywhere I go A connouser of video games I see

[@chilldoc9638]

Dev 1977 yes I serve my duty, jk jk actually it's just my pfp watch this to understand why you see me everywhere kzbin.info/www/bejne/e16caIBtp7BgqNU

[@lindylou538]

@@chilldoc9638 oh ok well i serve my oaths and join the talentless cult

[@duchi882]

*Just like Syndrome from the Incredibles said,* this video is _"Too late! 15 Years too late"_

[@Joel-bh5xd]

“There’s so much comedy on television. Does that cause comedy in the streets?”

[@Launchpad05]

'Did you also know that tabloid shows send bad morals to kids?'

[@jnuy764]

Violence was around since the beginning of time, not video games

[@DevCattoShorts]

If doctors and political people say videos games cause violence. how come 4 year old children watch Star Wars and the Avengers which have guns! And these kids aren't even violent! Its just some cap excuse for parents to limit screen time.

[@msxmurda2385]

‘Duck Hunt’ was pretty violent and also came with a fake Nintendo gun. But that game didn’t inspire me to go duck hunting and mass shootings were extremely low in the late 80s.

[@Damian-cilr2]

in japan it was almost like a real gun. more specifically it looked like a revolver with a wire

[@teamofone1219]

They never blame the parents for buying the games or mental health issues.

[@Vettel2011]

Exactly.

[@frederikdamgaard573]

How has the US not changed Theyre gun policy yet?

[@BlogWorldExpo34t3]

One reason: money buys laws in the US. That or the second amendment is giving protection to guns.

[@zaneearldufour]

The existence of the senate

[@bcrowie1]

@@zaneearldufour Moscow Mitch***

[@gnranger]

It's a short answer. The NRA and the United States Senate

[@Real_Mick3y6]

Because the 2nd Amendment gives us freedom that we will protect

[@mr.preston1632]

“iF oNlY tHeRe WaS a RaTiNg SyStEm So YoU cOuLd TeLl iF iT’s FoR kIdS oR nOt” -Diamondbolt Adam

[@torenonion]

yEaH

[@GodlessG0D]

You must not remember when kids were dressing up like plumbers and stomping turtles to death when Super Mario Bros came out in the '80s! 😄

[@TTillahFK]

LevelCap I recognised your voice a million miles away ;)

[@greenpuyo1545]

Finally, a media corporation that isn't biased.

[@Real_Mick3y6]

It's the NYT, it always is.

[@justsomeguywithoutalife230]

School: *give people stress Video game: *give kids freedom School: I blame video game for mass shooting Kids: excuse me Wtf

[@julianviefers6703]

Thank you guys for featuring levelcap. This earned you a subscriber from germany 👌

[@bluedye4087]

Im convinced this was only put as opinion so they wouldnt get thousands of angry phone calls from parents yelling at them to stop trying to make their little Timmy commit a mass shooting with his dualshock.

[@puirYorick]

How come the same effect isn't happening in Japan or Norway? Several decades ago it was Heavy Metal rock music that was blamed for all the antisocial behaviour. It was nonsense then and now video gaming is being painted as today's scapegoat. The true circumstantial evidence is glaringly obvious in all the data. Profits and political games are standing as roadblocks to change.

[@randomchannel1519]

And the fact that self defense from a tyrannical government is a basic human right.

[@puirYorick]

@@randomchannel1519 You have a warped definition of a "fact" vs a "belief" or an opinion. All constitutional laws and civil codes are human constructs NOT facts in any absolute incontrovertible sense. The Law of Gravity is an observed "fact" in our universe. Jaywalking and The Bill of Rights are both civilized constructs as agreed by some specified set of humans. Being careless about language is partly to blame for how we got here in this mess. You allow one TV clown to redefine words at his personal whim and nearly half the entire nation kowtows trying to follow along, chanting and wearing silly red caps all the while. Stop repeating memes and use your own mind.

[@udith]

Your government gives you guns and blames video games for violence

[@Real_Mick3y6]

@@puirYorick I kinda agree, but I do think it is a right. It is in the US Constitution and I think it needs protection

[@puirYorick]

@@Real_Mick3y6 I assume you meant the right to bear arms. The other thing that is very much a part of the core of the constitution is the explicit means to change it as needed over time. I'm sure you're aware of what the word *amendment* means. America needs to decide whether a problem exists and if you are collectively willing to change in order to make life better for everybody or just go along chanting fascist slogans back and forth until nearly everybody is dead. The mega rich who own your politicians have placed their bets on both sides of the aisle. Recognize that reality and wake up then demand changes or end up like Germany 75 years ago saluting a tyrant and wrongly blaming your fellow human beings for all your sorrows. Remember that the biggest and best guns will always be owned and controlled by the one percent who control your nation. No stockpile of Walmart ammo will put a dent in that. It mainly just leads to young angry men killing whoever they think they're supposed to hate based on which hate rally they went to or which pastor's sermon they listened to.

[@Arttective]

It's like criticising something you know nothing about

[@purplepenguin4315]

I like how there's more evidence about video games causing less violence then causing more violence

[@thewalkingbread706]

*Finally. Some logic round here*

[@frigityfaceJR]

Honestly as someone that wastes years of his life on games, i want nothing more then to be left alone with my creativity in a personal virtual environment. I just cant ever see myself doing anything violent that emulates what i do in a virtual setting because that in-game world defines whats wrong and right in respect to the real world environment and clearly labels them for what they are. So really, people and political groups should look at the physical person in respect to there behavior not what they lasted played. 5 to 10-ish yeas down the road i bet this very idea will be classed as junk theory and boomer paranoia judging from the ages of most community leaders and local politicians. And BTW, video games don't make up for years of trauma and abuse that has amalgamated with in a person for them to all of a sudden act on there violent thinking, its the abusers as well as life experiences that gave them a reason to act out in public and display violent behaviors. Just had to speak my peace, thanks for reading my rant.

[@dredgedcrusader887]

finally a news article that doesn't insult gaming or blame it for issues

[@drakenpage777]

Girl: I only like guys that play sports Me: well, I play videogames.

[@aaranchristopher]

4 years later feds still trying

[@bluesilverarts316]

I’m sending this to my mum

[@zalk256]

What happened? Tell us

[@dwainsimmons3447]

The moral panic against anime

[@TheErnestKid]

Video game doesn't cause violence. Lag does.

[@mastersonogashira1796]

Ernest Tsim haha and frame rate drop

[@SweetasSugar42]

What I also don’t get is that not all video games are COD, so many enjoy 'innocent' games like Nintendo. It’s just making a scapegoat out of an industry.

[@stupidestcrap8218]

BLAMING ROCK/METAL BANDS FOR AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

[@Vettel2011]

Blaming guns for mas shootings.

[@Vettel2011]

Blaming Trump for racism.

[@Octosona]

Finally. Someone understands why I’m not a terrorist after playing the Mario and Luigi rpgs.

[@Texan_American]

As a gamer I can say for certain that kids being raised on violent games isn't going to help anything. The cultural decay is real.

[@raine6813]

"its not the material thats to blame, but how the parents teach their children to respond to it" -the amazing world of gumball

[@jimmydroid7838]

Heavy Metal in the 1960's wtf?

[@bailujen8052]

Let a real gamer be a politic and he shall prove evidence

[@Zircillius]

Politicians who blame videogames either have a poor knowledge of history, or they don't care about the fact that fifty years from now, they'll be ridiculed by everyone. No one can read a 1930s report from the Catholic Legion of Decency (like one finding that gangster movies were responsible for the gangster epidemic) today and not laugh.

[@PartnershipsForYou]

Republicans: video games make you stupid!!! Also republicans: video games turn you into a genius serial killer!!!

[@Real_Mick3y6]

Why just Republicans

[@natebit8130]

Mainly just politicians who don't know anything about videogames.

[@priscillacarrasco21]

It really is because a lot of people hate video games

[@SunlessSage]

Mostly just people that have never come near a video game that are looking for a scapegoat.

[@domgwtf]

Extremely well said. Bravo.

[@atlas2296]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have done it, The Media is on our side

[@ishaanair]

Insert *everybody liked that*meme

[@Spoot1RHGL]

My Man LevelCap !!!

[@Jejkobbb]

Wtf Levelcap gaming on New York Times??? This is kinda epic...

[@ignasvieversys6127]

Gonna share this with my peeps. Awesome video!

[@TheAlanReviews]

Is it true that blaming video games creates stigmas against gamers, making them look like future criminals?

[@justsomeguywithoutalife230]

If the government gonna try to stop video game....imma start a resistance

[@kruxxed1339]

I never heard super soilder in cod before

[@KUWAITGRIPSVEVO]

huh why do I recognize that voice who is waIT LEVEL CAP ON THE NYT

[@Neo2266.]

Oh and it only took you 30+ years to figure this out

[@Krishna-pv1nq]

Thank god a major media outlet is discussing this but in reality this probably won't get much traction in the homepage

[@ho-hyongyoo3251]

South Korean here. We don't have many gun violence. I mean we have them, like hunters or police officers gone crazy, maybe disgruntled soldier but they are far and between. The reason is simple. We have one of the most comprehensive and strict gun control in the world. Heck, some people say it is too strict. we restrict BB guns for crying out loud. However, for safety that is a sacrifice most South Koreans are willing to make.

[@cpt.shmitt7387]

Funny how the guy in charge of a country that's been at war for over a hundred years, supports the military and produces more action and horror movies anywhere wants to stop the glorification of violence.

[@Real_Mick3y6]

Wait, what war?

[@ElecWaff]

NYT is spitting fax

[@kuyajayy]

Why do people think all gamers play COD like wtf😂😂

[@N0616JCProductions]

Finally! I am glad that my parents only think that video would make me dumb when I was a kid.

[@Tom-ro3rl]

Memes cause violence.

[@ShielaTV]

//laugh in human language// Me learning that video games are blamed for bad behavior when it was a fun time and fun bonding of mine and my brother with our cousins and other friends. We are happy to get together in the sitting room, take turns playing games, laughing and screaming whenever we are dead in the game. It's not the game guys, it's the life style and yes, the design of the game being played. Well, I am a 90's kid and game before are just purely for entertainment. Also, they asking parents to control their kids gaming schedule and don't spoil them too much letting them buy expensive game features that will lead them to think that they are above others just because they have it.

[@samuelchiloyan9171]

So you telling me that Pong .... Is causing.... *Contemplates* wow!

[@yugioh5222]

Agree with this any thing that have violence cause something between in the real world is professional sports like football and soccer

[@CIARUNSITE]

This isn't an opinion. It's a fact.

[@sunnyd1254]

Why does the old generation hate and try to get rid things like video games like why

[@mrgreggery]

TRUMP: “We must stop the glorification of violence in our society,” President Trump said in a White House address on the shootings. “This includes the gruesome and grisly video games that are now commonplace.”

[@anaxolotl6637]

Me: **plays minecraft skyblock** also me: alright now i wanna throw grenades at an airport!

[@zxcytdfxy256]

Thank you legend.

[@terrywang2456]

Politicians blaming video games for gun violence is just them not wanting to take responsibility.

[@jaybo524]

For once someone didn’t defect the problem to another “problem”. A+

[@CheezItMuncherZack]

The New York Times posted this: *Everyone liked that*

[@existentialopal721]

The fact of how news reporters were framing exposing oneself to violent video games and playing violent video games as causing aggression or violent behavior is wrong because you have to test that fact first and not go around framing it for no reason just because you think that these types of games cause violence.

[@airbush3000]

Well from a third world perspective I can state that video games here are not something the majority participates in, but it is very violent, we aren't allowed to have guns under any circumstance. So yeah I don't think that video games cause shootings. By the way excellent soundtrack, anyone know the name?

[@theshockerpit7274]

So people are going to do no research about what was causing violence and are going to blame it on Marilyn Manson and video games

[@kdl256]

Man playing that yoshi's cookie was pretty fun NOW LEMME JUST SMUGGLE SOME DRUGS ACROSS THE MEXICAN BORDER

[@countmein33]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@recklesflam1ngo968]

*Sees the video is from a media group* A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

[@nathandrake5544]

The only people today who think video games cause violence are boomer conservatives.

[@fredo0084]

Wait.... levelcap?

[@raprawira18]

It's suprising to see LevelCap Gaming here.

[@brobunni]

If video games are banned in america, I'm moving to Japan.

[@twntytu0five278]

Solutions are hard, answer is easy

[@kyraocity]

3:00 Censorship and free speech in entertainment.

[@ThatGuyDownInThe]

Does anyone know violence is far less severe than it was before video games existed?

[@LRexChess]

Video games don’t cause violence, lag does.

[@rhondarose2583]

FEAR&ANGER PRODUCES VIOLENCE.EMOTIONAL AWARENESS is are OWN RESPONSIBILITY.

[@FOAB-Carlos]

0:21 lmao why does that guy looks like the voice actor of krang from the teenage mutant ninja turtles. 🤣

[@Chris-Moore501]

Politicians: get your facts before you make baseless statements. Stop losing credentials by acting lazy.

[@kyraocity]

1:58 video games and aggression. Columbine debunked

[@katyoutnabout5943]

One would think this is common knowledge by now, but i guess it needed to be said.

[@CapeBarnes]

I saw F-Zero and gave a like :)

[@ralseidafluffyboi7798]

I played mario maker 2 and now im preparing my guns for school

[@itmakesfreezervomits8790]

wait... video games in everywhere in the world but mass shootings virtually only happens in US

[@RcruzLA]

Well said fam!

[@madeleine3638]

You know Barron Trump has some type of video games and electronics.

[@ornos3133]

The reason it is labeled opinion instead of fact just to avoid making a political statement.

[@thetheatreorgan168]

I played airlines manager. Time to fly an all economy loaded a380 into a stadium crowd!

[@azionize.]

Me and my friend play pong Society: VIOLENCE. STOPPPPPP!

[@studlybrickfilmsandgames]

Most gamers who play fps games do not commit violent acts but most people who commit violent acts play video games People say we need weapon control but without weapons we can not protect ourselves from evil people who commit acts of violence

[@untextured4240]

That’s because a lot of people play video games