German School Violence Blamed on Video Games

[leunas]

Once again an incident of school violence causes lawmakers to call for strict legislation against/banning of violent video games, only this time it's in Germany, where an 18 year old former student known as Bastian B. stormed a secondary school armed with explosives and firearms, wounding upwards of 32 people before ending his own life.

"The only thing I really learned at school was that I'm a loser," the youth wrote in a letter posted on his Web site that was later removed by police. "I hate people ... I'm gone."

As it turns out, Bastian B. was a loner and an avid Counter-Strike player, so when he dresses up all in black and attacks a school with smoke grenades and high-powered weapons he really doesn't do the "Gaming is Good for You" movement any favors. The assailant pretty much makes the lawmakers' case for them, directly acting out events from the game. While I can't say that Counter-Strike provoked the attack, it certainly influenced the way he carried it out. What would have happened if he hadn't played?



www.kotaku.com/gaming/violence/german-school-violence-blamed-on-video-games-216417.php

[leunas]

German politicians call for crackdown on violent computer games after armed attack on secondary school

On Monday, November 20, a man identified as 18-year old Bastian B. committed suicide after attacking a German secondary school with guns and explosives and wounding as many as 27 people. The German media have reported that Bastian had a fondness for war simulation and computer games.

Responding to the attack, the deputy head of the Christian Democratic party said it was time to consider banning games that simulate wanton killing, citing studies showing that violent games have disturbing effects on some children. As well, Christa Stewens, the family minister for the German state of Bavaria has called for a nationwide ban on war games like paintball and laser tag and has also said that children should not be permitted to play violent computer games.

A ban on violent games, however, looks far from certain. To date, the German federal government has refused to ban violent computer games and the opposition party - the Greens - continue to be resistant to the idea, suggesting that the proper course would be to focus debate on the proper use of computers.


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