Boys and Video Games

I recently read an article where Microsoft has joined with the family's internet provider and Child Find in doubling the reward for his lost 15 year old son. Recently Dad took his son's Xbox away from him because he was skipping school, stealing money, and ignoring his studies. His son's favorite online game was "Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare". His father was shocked by his son's response to the removal of the Xbox. His son's identity was completely wrapped up in the video game. It became his identity.

Unfortunately the story of a male teen who has become addicted to video games is all too common. These boys play upwards of 3-4 hours daily with all other aspects of their lives pushed to the rear. Over time these boys develop an online identity that embodies power and control. Whereas in real life they become socially retarded and withdrawn. The video industry understands the pull of video games and the realities they create for boys. The desire for power and control is hardwired in young males and videos tap into these compelling interests.

We are losing a generation of future men who have checked out of life and checked into the online virtual world of violent crime. The game "Grand Theft Auto" for example rewards you with points for stealing a car, killing a cop, picking up a prostitute and then killing her. The final insult and reward is to take back the money you gave her for sex. I cannot imagine how this distorts a young boy's reality. This kinds of videos are widely available, and the destruction to our youth in unmeasurable.

Unless parents wake up and realize the damage that is happening to their son's they will likely buy the games because they see it as doing not harm. We have a generation of boys who have checked out already. Time will tell when they are still living at home playing games in their thirties. The reality of all these addicted teens are parents who are checked out and not in touch with their son's lives on a daily basis.