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Dad Uses 'Call of Duty' to Teach Son History, Military Ethics

by Warren Riddle on February 24, 2009 at 09:12 AM



Hugh Spencer, a writer and designer of museum and public educational exhibitions, has created a new and unique method of keeping his teenage son from engaging in gratuitous video game violence. The elder Spencer's initial dilemma arose when Evan approached him about 'Call of Duty,' a series in which players participate in integral campaigns of World War II, either solo or with fellow online gamers.

As Evan had just turned 13, Mr. Spencer held reservations about allowing his son to play the 'Teen'-rated game. Although 'Call of Duty' is heavily violent, Mr. Spencer, drawing from his experience researching for military museums, knew that the game incorporates historically accurate content, and also promotes teamwork via its online network. As a result, Mr. Spencer felt a compromise with his son was in order.

Mr. Spencer asked Evan to Google the Geneva Convention (a series of treaties which focus primarily on the treatment of non-combatants and prisoners of war) and then read it so that he and his father could discuss it. From the discussion, Evan agreed to fight his opponents according to the rules of the convention. Not only did Evan agree to adhere to the convention's rules, but he also agreed to stop play in the event one of his teammates disregarded the rules.

While keeping tabs on a child's gaming activities may seem like a novel concept for some parents, perhaps more adults will follow suit in order to counter the growing concerns over video game violence and the effects it has on developing minds. Instilling a knowledge and respect for history can only add to the benefits of observant parenting. [From: BoingBoing.net]

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Tags: Call of Duty, CallOfDuty, education, geneva convention, GenevaConvention, kids, parental controls, ParentalControls, parenting, top, video game violence, VideoGameViolence, violence in video games, ViolenceInVideoGames

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