Supposedly, there is some debate about whether or not violence in video games is linked to violence in real life. Google it, and you’ll get a range of reports ranging from “there is no link” to “omg, of course there is.”
In an article called “Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions,” Craig A. Anderson, PhD, took it on for the American Psychological Association. His findings? In summary, “Studies provide converging evidence that exposure to media violence is a significant risk factor for aggressive and violent behavior.” He goes on to say, “Violent video games are significantly associated with: increased aggressive behavior, thoughts, and affect; increased physiological arousal; and decreased prosocial (helping) behavior.”
Violent video games are a risk factor for real-life violence.
Okay. So, why would “Don’t be evil” Google allow a dog fighting app on their Android platform?
In the “Dog Wars” app, gamers train and fight dogs. According to Change.org, “This app makes a game out of dog fighting — celebrating cruelty against animals and contributing to the attitude that there’s nothing wrong with using animals in bloodsports.”
Dog fighting isn’t a game. It’s a violent, bloody, cruel crime. A felony, in fact.
Already pit-bull-type dogs are mired in a vicious circle: News breaks about a fight/bite/whatever, and people who want a “bad ass” dog are inspired to get a pit bull. They don’t train or care for the dog as a family pet, and eventually the dog bites someone. The media report the story, inspiring the next guy to get a pit bull to look tough/protect his stash/whatever.
These dogs are already fighting for their lives. They’re fighting against breed-discriminatory legislation and fighting against irresponsible owners, breeders, and – of course – dog fighters.
This game will only fuel that fight.
As the APA article stated, there is a link between violence and violent video games. It stands to reason, then, that these dogs will suffer further at the hands of the “gamers” who find dog fighting fun.
Google: Ditch this app. We want to believe in you and your “Don’t be evil” motto. But it’s up to you to back up your words with action.
Because right now, this is making them look pretty evil.
What can you do? Two simple steps:
- Sign the petition on change.org.
- Report the game in the Android Market.
The main point about these games to me is that they are glorifying these horrible crimes. Do they actually cause violence? Maybe. But either way they make it into a game that shows it’s just another part of life. NOT OKAY. I’ll be signing the petition. Thank you.
MayzieMom here. This literally makes me sick to my stomach. I have done both the things you suggest. But what I really want to do is magically change all the minds of the people who think something like this is okay and “just a game.” Sometimes I just don’t understand how the world can have so many people lacking a soul.
Listen, it is not a fact that video games cause aggression in real life, there is not enough evidence gathered to prove it either way. I think this app is good actually, I hate dog fighting I think it’s sick, but I feel as if this app will somehow replace actually dog fighting for those who had done it before but do not want to get in trouble. This could actually reduce how much dog fighting is going on in real life. I hope those who are considering getting into dog fighting sees this app and decided to just dog fight virtually.
Bert, I don’t think that a person who wanted to fight dogs would choose to play a video game over actually getting involved in dog fighting. Whether or not there is enough evidence to prove the link between games and aggression, turning a vicious blood sport into a game conveys the wrong idea… that dog fighting is a game.