In response to the Parkland shooting in Florida, students of The Cushman School in Miami have taken part in a campaign to stop playing violent video games such as first-person shooters. This school is protesting virtual violence and the campaign seeks to help parents raise children in the media era. This campaign echoes President Donald Trump’s recent comments on violence connected to the Internet, video games, and movies.
Entitled the “Violent Video Game Toss,” this campaign saw students turn in their violent video games last Friday. These students also signed a pledge to never play those types of games again, with both parents and school officials supportive of this initiative to protest virtual violence. Several students commented why they were giving up their games, which ranged from focusing on school work to contributing to a good cause.
Head of The Cushman School Arvi Balseiro even commented on his students’ participation in the campaign:
“We believe every student, beyond even Cushman’s blue gates, belongs to each one of us. These are the students who are going to become the leaders of tomorrow and developing a healthy growth mindset that will come back and contribute positively to this community and beyond becomes a responsibility for every single one of us.”
This school also did a presentation on the importance of limiting screen time, which focused on the research and science behind it. It is unknown whether or not research concerning violent video games and mass shootings was presented, but regardless, the video game industry is still scrutinized for its violent depictions. While it was previously reported that Trump would be meeting with the gaming industry to discuss school safety, that meeting may not be happening after all.
While these students are peacefully protesting and adding to the ongoing conversation about virtual violence in the modern era, a student in Chicago was ordered to stay away from violent video games after making a severe threat. The ever-increasing duality on the issue may or may not lead to a solution for the United States’ gun violence problem, but nevertheless, these students in Florida are doing what they believe to be their part, which is all anyone can do.
Source: WSVN