But experts have warned that these realistic video games can have bad effects on children, and parents should monitor their children's use of them. Good Morning America's parenting contributor Anne Pleshette Murphy says there is overwhelming evidence that a constant diet of violent entertainment increases aggressive behavior in children. Boys, in particular, who are exposed to violent video games, tend to settle their differences more aggressively. The games have been found to have 10 times more violent incidents than violent movies or television shows, she said. Another disturbing impact is that the games put the players in the first person.
Players are the ones doing the shooting, and the fun comes from identifying with the killer.
Desensitized to Violence Murphy said that children who are exposed to violence do become accustomed to it. Worse still, they need more violent stimuli to keep them interested. On the other hand, the boys at the LAN party do learn how to work as a team, she acknowledged. Since most parents would not know how to do it, it's up to children to set up their own networks for the LAN parties. They have to use partnership skills and work in teams to hook up the computers.