GTA V Moral Panic
The product I have chosen that has been a subject to moral panic is Grand Theft Auto V. Grand Theft Auto V is an action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North. Pegi gave the game a rating of 18+.Its audiences rangers from 15-35+, 10%female 90%male and is played mostly by the Abc1 classification.
The large age range means it is exposed to a wide male audience. Due to the young age range the game may be played by minors; like myself. By pre 18 year olds getting a hold of this game the media/ Pegi may think the content of this game may easily influence adolescent children. Anderson's (2007) theory of high exposure to games like GTA, dampen emotional responses to violence and desensitises the human brain. This can lead to some incidents in the media where crimes have been blamed/ influenced by this block buster title. For example; a 14-year-old boy from Idaho, Coeur d'Alene reportedly confessed to murdering his Dad and younger brother after idolising a violent, unstable character from the video game called 'Trevor'. The boy said it was pre-planned and 'inspired' by Trevor. This story fed into the moral panic surrounding this game title. This copycat crime supports the surrounding negative impacts this game has on adolescents and Anderson's theory. GTA 5 could have dampened the young boys emotional responses towards violence leading him to think murdering was socially acceptable.
By my own experience owning a copy and playing GTA V makes me fall into the common stereo type I previously explained. I'd like to talk about my personal gaming experience and how I played the game compared to how others may do it differently. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the action packed lives of the 3 main characters Micheal, Franklin and Trevor in the campaign story. I took full advantage of the online mode with friends where it is a free roam game with limitless car/vehicle modifications and custom fan made racers. My experience of GTA V was to escape into a world where me and my friends could do anything from set up businesses, cartels, Heists, BMX races to jet bikes etc. Escapism is where this game thrives. This is why I think it appeals to young adults- adults.
While my aim when playing this game may be different to someone else's; moral panic still occurs. My brain chemistry will be different to other consumers of this game, whether 18+ or not some people are easily influenced by actions by other figures. By 'idolising' the characters in this game may result in socially unacceptable behaviour and could lead to crime and female discrimination that the consumer may partake whilst playing this game.
By my own experience owning a copy and playing GTA V makes me fall into the common stereo type I previously explained. I'd like to talk about my personal gaming experience and how I played the game compared to how others may do it differently. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the action packed lives of the 3 main characters Micheal, Franklin and Trevor in the campaign story. I took full advantage of the online mode with friends where it is a free roam game with limitless car/vehicle modifications and custom fan made racers. My experience of GTA V was to escape into a world where me and my friends could do anything from set up businesses, cartels, Heists, BMX races to jet bikes etc. Escapism is where this game thrives. This is why I think it appeals to young adults- adults.
While my aim when playing this game may be different to someone else's; moral panic still occurs. My brain chemistry will be different to other consumers of this game, whether 18+ or not some people are easily influenced by actions by other figures. By 'idolising' the characters in this game may result in socially unacceptable behaviour and could lead to crime and female discrimination that the consumer may partake whilst playing this game.
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