The fear of spiritual dangers lurking in computers has
perturbed many parents during recent years. The computer, in
the past considered purely "office equipment," has become an
inseparable part of many private homes, and is used to occupy
children in their free time. But that is precisely how its
spiritual dangers come to the fore.
A few weeks ago, a number of talmudei Torah principals
issued a letter which read: "To parents who genuinely wish to
raise their children according to the Torah's educational
approach, transmitted to us from generation to generation: We
turn to you with a heartfelt plea regarding a very important
matter. The use of computers has recently become widespread
in Jewish homes. While the primary use of the computer is for
earning a livelihood, there is a very broad range of
possibilities for its use -- such as computer games and films
-- which has the capacity to destroy the soul of a child who
engages in them.
"In our experience as educators, we have seen that the
effects of these games and films is not only immediate
damage, but also further, far reaching repercussions. There
is no need to specify the particulars of the great sorrow
this can cause parents and educators.
"We therefore appeal to you to have pity upon the souls of
your children with whom has Hashem has blessed you and to
heed this important call, making every effort to do
everything in your power to supervise your children in their
use of the computer and its auxiliary components. Their
hearts are clean and pure slates on which only Torah
impressions should be etched, not alien things with a
negative influence which undermine the Torah-true method of
education, transmitted to us from generation to
generation."
After seeing this letter, maranan verabonon, the
gedolei Yisroel wrote: "The appeal of these educators
serves as a warning and clarion call to parents and teachers
to save the young generation which is in great danger of
degeneration, and which we all must make great efforts to
curb. May we merit to receive the help from Shomayim which is
given to all those who come to purify themselves."
The hazards of computer games are known throughout the world:
even non-Jewish educational figures warn against the
poisonous influence of these pastimes. We are referring not
only to programs which include indecent sights, but also to
many other games including especially war games, which can
sometimes seem to parents like "innocent recreation," since
parents are unaware of the subtle influence these pursuits
exert on a child's soul. These games cultivate an affinity
for violence and other tastes that are alien to Torah
society, and whose future effects one cannot gauge.
An article recently appeared in Ha'aretz that related
that the recent murder of the students in Denver, Colorado
revived the perturbing question about the link between video
and computer games and violent behavior, since the violent
murderers were known to favor violent computer games. This
resulted in the initiation of an extensive study spearheaded
by President Clinton (for which he allocated 10 million
dollars).
One of the staunchest, most veteran opponents of these games
is David Grossman, Professor of Psychology at the University
of Arkansas. Professor Grossman, former instructor in the
Military Academy of West Point who once studied martial arts,
claims that games like Doom and Quake which are based upon
violence, dull man's natural inhibition for killing. Most
people by nature find it difficult to press a trigger, he
says, but the games help them overcome this inhibition. His
remarks appeared in Time Magazine in May.
According to Professor Grossman, in the Second World War only
a fifth of the soldiers actually used their weapons to shoot.
In the Vietnam War, on the other hand, after soldiers had
been trained by the use of simulations similar to computer
games, 95% of the soldiers fired their arms in combat. In
order to improve the "firing rate" and encourage soldiers to
press the trigger more often, the American army currently
uses simulations which are very much like the game called
Doom.
"These games make shooting the enemy a routine act," says
Grossman, who as a result, firmly believes in the need to
censor computer games. "There is no doubt that violent video
games prepare children to kill and also teach them to enjoy
killing," he said. "True, not everyone who plays these games
will become a murderer. But saying that is like saying that
not everyone who smokes will develop cancer. In one degree or
another, everyone is harmed by smoking."
Grossman advocates the passage of legislation which will
relate to violent computer games just as the law relates to
other dangerous elements: firearms, tobacco and alcohol. He
hopes to see the passage of legislation prohibiting the sale
of such games to minors.
Interested parties, of course, oppose the psychological
analyses of professionals in the field. Doug Levinstein,
president of a large computer firm involved in the
development of interactive games, claims that the games are
being blamed for all of society's ills. "The difference
between cigarettes and computer games is that cigarettes are
not protected by the first amendment of the American
Constitution," Levinstein said. He proposed a system of
grading games for children according to age groups.
However, according to a report of the National Institute for
Media and Family, this method is an ineffective way to
prevent children from buying violent games. A survey
conducted by the Institute in December '98 among 529 parents
indicated that 40% of the parents were unaware of the grading
system and did not take this into account when purchasing
games. The study also found that only a few stores refused to
let children purchase games classified as adult games, and
that children's magazines contain advertisements for violent
games.
This information is certainly more than enough to give anyone
reason to see that those he loves are not exposed to such
terrible influences.
