Video Games Impact on Children About War

Last week, I was babysitting my nine year old cousin. Throughout the night, the only thing he wanted to do was play his video games. The majority of his games had something to do with war and violence. As he was playing his game, he began shouting things such as "die, boom and got him"! Watching him play his games reminded me of what we have talked about in class the last week. The impact video games have on people, especially children, is astonishing. When my cousin sat on the couch and was proud to be killing anyone he could, I began to wonder what we have been teaching children. When did it become okay for a child to have fun killing someone? I understand it is a video game and it is supposed to be fun, however, this stuff happens in real life and it is nothing to make a joke out of.
My great uncle served in the Vietnam War. He went with seven of his friends the day he graduated from high school and enlisted in the Army. He did this without mentioning it to his parents at all. Of the seven of them who went to war together, my great uncle was the only one who made it back alive. I do not believe men and women, such as my uncle, should have to watch children and young adults play video games with this violence. These people were there, right in the middle of the war, and they come home and watch people make a mockery of it? They come home and watch people having fun, making it seem like the real war is a game? I believe we should think long and hard about the soldiers risking their lives for us right now, and then think about the message these games are sending.
I, unlike others, do not believe that children playing these games will automatically want to grow up and be in the Army. I understand that they are just having fun when playing these games. Although I understand this, it does not make it right. We need to have respect for our friends and family that are overseas risking their lives to save ours. I do not believe allowing our young children to play games mocking the war is the way to do it.
Many sites tell us that video games and computer games are good learning tools. I agree that some games are good learning tools, but I do not agree that letting my young child kill people in a virtual war all day long will teach them anything. I do not want my child growing up thinking that the real war is exactly like what is on their video games. I believe teaching your children this neglects the hard work and bravery the men and women overseas are putting forth.