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Early this week I ranted about a @nytimes editorial misrepresenting the scientific literature around video game uses and effects.
It's one thing for an editorial piece to mishandle scientific information, but it is another when an “educational” organization does it.
A thread.
It's one thing for an editorial piece to mishandle scientific information, but it is another when an “educational” organization does it.
A thread.
A new training from @childrenscreens was announced called BLOOD, SWEAT, and FEARS: Understanding the Psychological Effects of Graphic and Violent Media on Children and Teens. https://www.childrenandscreens.com/media/press-releases/blood-sweat-fears/
What a title. One that is clearly meant to instill fear, shock, awe, pearl clutching… moral panic.
For a primer on the history of the moral panic see here:
For a primer on the history of the moral panic see here:
There are many points to discuss in their advertising, but for the sake of time I’ll focus on a few. Starting with this gem of an anonymous quote.
First, games are not addicting in the way as cigarettes or any other chemical addiction
See: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201803/sense-and-nonsense-about-video-game-addiction
See: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201803/sense-and-nonsense-about-video-game-addiction
Side note: Video game "addiction" in and of itself is even a hotly debated and contentious and contentious issue within the scientific community.
For an overview on the current state of the research, see here:
For an overview on the current state of the research, see here:
Second, playing together with your kids is actually an incredibly powerful way to connect with children, especially during the COVID pandemic.
Exhibit A: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2013/12/04/research-says-parents-and-kids-should-play-video-games-together/?sh=6dff35204892
Exhibit A: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2013/12/04/research-says-parents-and-kids-should-play-video-games-together/?sh=6dff35204892
I legitimately could go on all day.
The points I raise here alone are notable. This one-sided, exaggerated information does an INCREDIBLE disservice to parents and caretakers everywhere.
The points I raise here alone are notable. This one-sided, exaggerated information does an INCREDIBLE disservice to parents and caretakers everywhere.
Then let’s talk about their experts.
For this seminar they chose Dr. Brad Bushman who has dedicated his career to studying violent video game effects. Notably, several of his publications have been redacted due to falsified data.
For this seminar they chose Dr. Brad Bushman who has dedicated his career to studying violent video game effects. Notably, several of his publications have been redacted due to falsified data.
If they wanted to focus on violent video game effects, why not go with @patmarkey and @CJFerguson1111 who literally published the book on the topic and have zero redacted papers between them?
SPOILER: Because they don't push the moral panic agenda https://www.amazon.ca/Moral-Combat-Violent-Video-Games/dp/1942952988
SPOILER: Because they don't push the moral panic agenda https://www.amazon.ca/Moral-Combat-Violent-Video-Games/dp/1942952988
I could go into more nuanced discussions of their advertisement, but honestly isn’t this enough?
This kind of “educational” content is reprehensible. It is why the moral panic around games remains today and parents remain fearful despite the wealth of contrary research.
This kind of “educational” content is reprehensible. It is why the moral panic around games remains today and parents remain fearful despite the wealth of contrary research.
For example, did you know that the scientific consensus is that games to dot desensitize players to violence? https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00650/full
...or that violent video games do not make players more violent? https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11126-007-9056-9
You probably would also not realize that games are a great way for families to spend time together. https://www.parents.com/fun/games/family/how-to-play-animal-crossing-with-your-family/
No video games are not perfect, but they are not this.
They are NOT this.
They are NOT this.
(reposted because I mistakenly used an image in the original post that was not directly assoicated with the seminar advertising material)
