According to a recent report of the European Parliament Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, games are beneficial in many aspects and there is no proved link between this and violent behavior. Games are "in most cases, not dangerous and can even contribute to the development of important skills" said Toine Manders, the Dutch liberal member of the parliament responsible for the report. Strategic thinking, creativity, cooperation and innovation are some of these.

One of the reason for the report was a research from Microsoft stating that half of the children use computers unsupervised in Europe. Due to this, the report insists on the PEGI as a useful system and remind the parents to follow it. In addition, a sort of "red button" is suggested in order for the parents to stop a game or the computer when improper content is observed.

The report also suggests schools to pay attention to the possible educational use of video games and to work with the parents to show them their advantages and disadvantages.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Just paint the power button red and you have the "red button ... to stop (..) the computer". :P

PS: answering isn't that easy... the subject is longer then 50 characters and not usable for answering. =)

Red button eh? Maybe they need this.....



LOL, I couldn't resist.

To me, I'm glad people are seeing the positives of games, hell they help develop quick reflexes in some games and does help in thinking. My nephew has been playing games since he was about 3 and at first his reflexes and skills were a little lacking, but now the boy is becoming a natural, he can pick up and play just about anything. Plus, violent video games don't always influence kids, now granted there is the odd few, but mostly I don't see them being a problem. It is more of parenting problem than a video game problem. Some people doesn't want to admit that their failings or simply their kid is a dumbass and they have said the same thing about radio when it came out and TV too.

This reminds me of a long pet peeve of mine.

Here's the history of videogame research in a nutshell:

Year 1: Researchers from university A find out that videogames are harmful.
Year 2: Researchers from company B find out that videogames are beneficial or harmless.
Year 3: Researchers from institute C find out that videogames are harmful.
Year 4: Researchers from commitee D find out that videogames are beneficial or harmless.
Year 5: Researchers from institute E find out that videogames are harmful.
Year 6: Researchers from university F find out that videogames are beneficial or harmless.
Year 7: Researchers from commitee X find out that videogames are harmful.
Year 8: Researchers from institute Y find out that videogames are beneficial or harmless.
Year 9: Researchers from company Z find out that videogames are harmful.


So much for science ;x

Simply because no one bothered to ask if entity x was funded by sponsor y who apparently believes in ideology z thus aiming to promote discourse xxx.

No such thing as objective. Just less subjective.

Never trust a survey you haven't faked yourself ;)

Nine out of ten child psychologists say that the European Parliament Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection is very scary and that small children should not be exposed to it.

Now just tell legal-happy Americans that.

Sometimes I'm ashamed to be an American because all of the damned lawsuits in this country anymore. Now some I can understand, such as a big company being sued for exposing their workers to hazardous conditions and withholding it and causing them harm, those I understand. The ones I hate, though, is the frivolous like "I'm suing McDonalds because it made a huge fat ass" or "I'm suing McDonalds because I spilt hot coffee on myself".

I think all these lawsuits are just the tip of a larger problem. Nobody really wants to take responsibility for their actions anymore. Got a big butt because of all those Big Macs ? Do you consider the possibility that because you ate a truck load of junk and didn't exercise once in a while made you fat ? NO ! It was McDonalds food that you ate, therefore, it McDonalds fault. That's like what a five year old would do if he/she broke a window. "But you left the rocks in the yard ! It's your fault for not picking them up and keeping them away from me !" But who actually threw the rock and broke the window ? I rest my case.

Put it this way. McDonalds lost not because the grandma split hot coffee on herself.
McDonalds lost because their legal representation were too stupid to add a legal disclaimer which should be second nature to a lawyer.

True, I guess that is why it is a standard practice, but still it is almost common sense too. I read an article about a guy in a state somewhere in the south, I won't name it, but i'll give you a hint, it starts with "A" and ends with "Sas" that he had the brilliant idea to check to see if a gas can he had was full of water or gas was to light a match and throw it in. Sad part is, the guy survived. I'm not wishing death upon the guy, but imagine the conversation with the firemen, paramedics and the cops and even admit to doing it.

Worst part is he might have bred, already. Just what the world needs, more idiots.

There's this film (not a very good one, but interesting plot) about that. Idiocracy is the title I believe. Basically the theory is that in the long run, we will be overpopulated by idiots, simply because people with higher IQs tend to postpone pregancies due to various considerations than the average sports jock that humps anything in sight.

Scary.

I recently read an article in Science magazine discussing (and arguing against) the idea that rising IQs in the UK can be attributed to better nutrition in the 20th century than the preceding years. What stood out in the article is that teenagers in the UK actually appear to have lost IQ points - six whole points since 1979! See what happens when hormones overtake your brain? :D Young children and adults are still getting smarter, apparently! How does that possibly work?

Hormones.

Perhaps there are similar temporary tolls on one's mental health during menopause and men's mid-life crises.

Heh. If that were true, I should have an IQ of 20 by now. :)

Edit: Er. Remind me not to take an IQ test in the near future... :p

This thread is reminding me of the recent news story on the parent who insisted his son respect the Geneva Conventions while playing Call of Duty.

Wow, all dads should be like that!