COD takes over

I'm not referring to the traditional British takeaway favourite, or the track made by AC/DC. For those less gifted with technology acquaintance, I am talking about the first and third person shooter game. The game that has taken over the lives of many of today's teenagers (and many adults too!)- Call of Duty. Does the countless hours spent on these games, and the violence they contain, really affect us that much?

So many studies have gone out to prove this, but is it that bad? Jo Frost is the recent explorer of this worrying situation. She demonstrates the frightful effects it has on children on her new show, Extreme Parental Guidance. She splits a group of young people, one side playing a violent video game, and the others playing one without it. The experiment showed those playing the violent game were unwilling to respond to and help someone (in this case someone who had dropped a pot of pens-set up by Jo), but those playing the other game were more than willing to be of aid. Knowing that so many children play this game, it is worrying to see that children were desensitised from happenings around them. Talking to a parent outside a local Secondary School in Maidstone, they seemed to agree with this assessment. Alison McKay said: "I'm lucky to get three words out of my son when he's on that game, his attitude and willingness to help me definitely changes too". Should parents take more of a responsibility with their children and the games?

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine say that 'brain scans of kids who played a violent video game showed an increase in emotional arousal – and a corresponding decrease of activity in brain areas involved in self-control, inhibition and attention.' This simply backs Jo Frost's experiment findings, and proves that children can be desensitised by violence.

It seems this is an issue with a cause for concern, and only with stronger age certificates or parents constant guidance will people possibly see a change. Even then its not sure to stop, as parent Alison McKay also added: "My husband is just as bad, he plays it too and always ends up in a foul mood".