Focus Group

Whilst conducting a focus group i asked several questions, the key questions were:

1. To what extent do you think violnt video games effect childrens behaviour?
2. Do you think that the media make violent video games seem worst than they are?
3. Do you think that there is a bigger problem in America on this subject, or is it just because of what we see in the media?
4. Do you think its easier to buy high age rating games than alchol? Why?
5. Do you think parents should have more control over what there children play?
6. Do you think that the games where the sole aspect is to kill people should be rated higher than those where people get shot along the way?
7. Finally, do you think that there is a direct link between violent video games and childrens violent behaviour?

These questions provoked many discussions and below i have listed my findings:

1. Depends how subsetical/passive child is
   Some children imate games anf films but only in play - Not real violence, no intent to hurt anyone
   Some children want to be game characters however they know the difference between real and pretned violence
   Children can be violent towards toys - they know its not going to hurt them - children not as passive as media makes out - they know when to draw the line
   Other aspecs could be to blame - idols carring guns ect
2. Media blow everything out of proportion to make better news - scape goat need something to blame - video games easy way out
   Games are not usually to blame other aspects - music culture
3. American children have more accsses to guns so can copy violence/ gun shoots easier
   Not as easy acsess in england.
   Media pick up on panic in America and portray it in our media
4. Can order games online, dont have to go to a sop and proove there age like alchol
   Huge difference in alcohol and games- drink doesnt damage health
   Hard to enforce age laws in smaller shops - they dont have regular inspections - no pressure to enforce age ratings as much as bigger shops
5. Depends on game
   Parent plays the games so children do - children as young as 8 playing GTA
6. No diffrence - Still killing people
7. No direct link - if mature enough to play the game - mature enough to realise that it's not real
   Maybe plays a tine part - but not as large as made out
   Children can play higher age rating if mature enough/age rating isnt that much more than atchul age
   

Do you agree/ disagree? Anything you want to add?