SPOTLIGHT
Our young people's addiction to violent video games needs urgent attention
Anucha Charoenpo
A scene from the GTA game. |
bA youngster enjoys playing a `shooter' computer game, some of which are blamed for inciting violence and crime. |
Sunday's fatal stabbing of a taxi driver by a Mathayom 6 student intent on recreating a robbery from the video game Grand Theft Auto (GTA) has again drawn attention to the frightening inluence violent computer games have on young people.
Polwat Chinno, 19, was arrested and charged with robbery causing death and possession of knives after killing 54-year-old cab driver Khuan Phokang in Bang Phlad district.
The victim had been stabbed about 10 times and his blood was splattered over the inside of the vehicle.
For those familiar with GTA, it was reminiscent of scenes in the video game, in which players take on the role of a criminal in a big city.
Polwat told the police he copied the robbery from the game, which he had played for a couple hours every day for the past few years.
The incident has further fuelled concerns held by child psychologists and family groups about such games, and they fear the role-playing could be repeated by other game-addicted youngsters unless society pays more attention to their behaviour and distribution of violent video and online games.
Thai society is not alone in its efforts to cope with game-related violence.
In the United States, a multi-million dollar lawsuit was filed in the state of Alabama against the makers and marketers of GTA in 2005, claiming that months of playing the game led a teenager to kill two police officers and a 911 dispatcher.
Thawatchai Thaikhiew, deputy director-general of the Juvenile Protection and Observation Department, stressed that game addiction among youngsters could lead to all forms of violence and crime.
"Children addicted to violent games always show strange, unpredictable behaviour," said Mr Thawatchai.
"They lack a sense of responsibility and can't manage their personal life. They don't like to go to school and isolate themselves from other people."
There are about 50,000 delinquents under the department's supervision at the moment, 27% of them were charged with robbery, 23% with drug possession, 14% for causing injury to others, and rest with a range of other offences.
Some of these young offenders admitted their criminal acts were copied from video and online games - and GTA was one of them.
The controversial game allows people to take on the role of a criminal in a big city. Figureheads of the city underworld set them tasks to complete. Common missions include bank robberies, assassinations and carjacks. Sometimes, the player is required to get involved in pimping and street racing.
Mr Thawatchai called on state-run agencies to keep a close watch on the advanced version of this kind of game. He had learned that some online games allow players to trade weapons to kill. He was afraid that youngsters might commit such acts in real life.
Wanchai Boonpracha, manager of the Family Network Foundation, said GTA was a "dangerous game" and should be banned as soon as possible.
He said the game has been ordered off the shelves in Australia, England and the United Arab Emirates.
The Public Health Ministry, which has monitored the impact of thse games on the mental and physical health of young Thais, yesterday released a list of 10 online games which have been banned in the United States since last year because of their inappropriate content - and it includes GTA.
They are: Manhunt; Scarface; 50 Cent: Bulletproof; 300: The Video Game; The Godfather; Killer; Resident Evil 4; God of War; Hitman: Blood Money; and Grand Theft Auto.
The ministry wanted parents to keep their children away from these games.
Wallop Tangkhananurak, a child rights advocate and former member of the defunct National Legislative Assembly, said the problems associated with violent games had never been seriously tackled as the agencies concerned focused mainly on sexual problems among youngsters.
Game-triggered violence was preventable if the appropriate parties seriously looked into it.
Mr Wallop urged parents, school teachers, and community leaders to work together to create cheerful and useful activities, such as community services and sports competitions for the children, to ensure they spend less time playing video games. These get-together activities also allow the adults to monitor children's behaviour and thoughts.
It is hoped these proposals would be put into practice and help prevent other teenagers ending up like Polwat, who might have to spend years in jail for his actions.
Panpimol Lortrakul, director of the Rajanukul Institute, believed Polwat was not a criminal by nature and she did not want to see him facing the death penalty or life imprisonment.
"He deserves punishment but not in the same way as other murderers.
"This young man needs mental rehabilitation and behaviour correction. He should have the opportunity to return to society," said Dr Panpimol.
Polwat's teacher confirmed he was a diligent and polite student. He did well at school with a GPA of 2.79 and frequently took part in school activities.
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