THE HABIT of millions of Filipinos to play violent video games online could have long-term consequences for their mental condition, especially that of young people.
Some experts say it is very likely that such games can cause emotional and psychological problems, while others disagree, claiming there are no negative effects.
But research from the American Psychological Association shows that long-term exposure to violent video games can desensitize players, especially minors. They can lose their capacity for empathy and become disconnected from their families and friends.
Minors who play high-risk, mature games online have been found to be depressed, unable to sleep well, and earn low grades in school. They can be prone to aggression and bullying others, among other negative effects.
The young suspects in the deadly Tacloban school shooting on June 22 were addicted to playing the shockingly violent “GoreBox” video game. Others like it include “Call of Duty” and “Free Fire.”
This writer tried to play “Call of Duty” and found that the “duty” involved shooting and stabbing other players dead. It was a traumatic experience, even though it was a virtual game.
All these and more can tell us that games that have players shooting or stabbing people dead are not offering good experiences for anybody, most of all children, and can cause mental health problems.
The true “call to duty” for all adults, especially parents, is to protect children from all possible harm and promote well-being, kindness, respect for life, care and understanding for the vulnerable, and compassion and love for others. These are basic Gospel values taught by Jesus of Nazareth.
To be a true Christian is to embrace love of neighbor and reject violence of all kinds, including those in video games.
There are many alternatives to such games: positive, value-enhancing, character-building video games that teach generosity, kindness and care for others. These games are good for both adults and children: “Until Then,” “Ugaling Pinoy,” “Alba: A Wildlife Adventure,” “Sky: Children of Light,” and “Undertale.”
A recent Senate inquiry recommended that “GoreBox” be blocked temporarily and issued warnings to platforms like Roblox over child-grooming risks. Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the real enemy was adult groomers and extremist rings, like the global 764 Network, that “target, brainwash, and radicalize vulnerable children into committing real-world acts of violent extremism.” Access to these online video games and websites is provided by our internet service providers (ISPs).
Systemic failures
Some commentators and cybersecurity experts, and even some lawmakers, point to deep-seated systemic failures of telecommunications corporations (telcos), like PLDT Inc., Globe Telecom, and DITO Telecommunity, and their associated ISPs that allow the proliferation of violent video games, and child abuse and exploitation, over their servers without obeying or implementing the law on it.
They point out that officials of the National Telecommunications Commission, led by Ella Blanca B. Lopez, failed to monitor and implement the law to restrict the proliferation of abusive material detrimental to children. They should block violent and gory video games like GoreBox and others that show murder and dismemberment. They fail with the telcos by allegedly allowing child sexual abuse videos and photos and the livestreaming of child abuse. (To be continued)/PN
