Video games promote violence and terrorism

JEDDAH: Religious, educational and psychological experts are warning about many popular video games among children that promote violence, terrorism, homosexuality and theft.

As the latest versions of these games are invading Saudi Arabia, many are being sold on the black market for as much as SR300.
According to the head of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Sakina campaign, Abdel Moneim Al-Mashawah, these video games pose a threat to young people as they have “stripped” them of their religion, nationalism, families and emotions.
Popular among those between the ages of seven and 35, the games vary from sports matches, adventures and war games.
Experts said security and media authorities are doing their part in addressing the illegal sale of these electronic video games, as they should be sold only after they have been verified for safety and monitored by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Ministry of Media Affairs.
An expert in technology and video games, and founder of the website Real Play and Electroni, Mohammed Al-Baseimi, said such games have proliferated heavily in the Saudi market over the past few years, and either promote violence or promote negativity against Islam.
He attributed this proliferation to the lack of laws that prevent their sale to children, noting that some people find ways to download them illegally online.
One video game fan, who preferred to remain anonymous, said there are distributors in the Kingdom who sell these games illegally and under the table for between SR200 and SR300. He said many games promote theft of homes, money, vehicles, banks, as well as bombing and killing, while some include scenes of stepping on the Qur’an.
These images have prompted concern among parents, who are seeing more violent tendencies among their young children.
“My son doesn’t pray any more, or delays his prayers to another time, has also ignored his studies, and is more violent with his siblings,” says one parent.
To address this critical issue, Al-Mashawah says more must be done to monitor children and their daily practices. Important responsibilities for the parent include more communication with the child and the school, not ignoring any threats, developing a relationship of mutual respect, and checking video games.
Meanwhile, customs experts say tapes and videos with all travelers are checked for between three and 10 minutes at customs over numerous stages, including sending the video game to the media office at customs to check for its content. In the case that the contents are banned, the video games stay with the media office and a paper is written up to explain the item in detail. Fines of up to SR500 and confiscation can be applied for inappropriate material.