Discussion Question #6: Do you think that a highly interactive medium like video games could have greater affects on media users than a more passive medium such as television? Why or why not?
In today's society, media has risen to levels never seen before. Televisions, computers, phones and video games have all reached new heights. Personally, I believe that a highly interactive medium like video games does in fact have a greater affect on media users more than passive medium such as television. I feel strongly . One reason is that video games give you the ability to actually control what you do in the game. With games on the market like "Modern Warfare", "Call of Duty", and "Grand Theft Auto" kids are literally being instructed on how to operate weapons, encouraged to kill people, and ultimately get rewarded for doing such in the game. On the other hand with television, although you can't choose what the networks and stations decide to broadcast, you can pick and choose what you want to turn on and watch. Conversely for video games, you only buy it and play it if you like it. Also, on television, unless it is a pay per view channel, it is catered to a national audience, which includes the likes of toddlers, teens, and adults so gory material isn't usually an issue. With video games, there is a rating on the game but the content is still very visual. According to the text, research done at UCLA led by Jeffrey Cole has shown that U.S. network-television programming has gotten somewhat less violent in recent years. I do believe that both of these mediums have large affects on media users, I just believe the affect of video games is significantly stronger.
Link of supporting evidence:
http://www.ithp.org/articles/violentvideogames.html
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