5 years ago
Some of today's most popular video games feature cop killers, severed heads, and prostitutes. Supporters are struggling to finish a video game with very different values. They want children to learn to resolve conflicts, talk things through, and have fun. Bruce Leshan's Report
In a world where most video games are about slashing, shooting, and killing... this is something completely different.
Each of the conflicts has a set up ant then four possible solutions.
It's called Cool School, and it's 52 different scenarios are designed to teach children to resolve everyday conflicts peacefully.
An early prototype shows how it works but the designers are set to produce a software package they say will rival the best from Pixar or Disney.
? We don't have games for kids to peaceably solve conflict? says Kathy Hanson of The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The organization has spent three years and nearly half a million dollars hoping to fulfill a Congressional Mandate to help deal with youth violence.
Organizers thought private foundations would jump at a chance to help get software like this to every elementary school in the country, but so far, nothing.
?It's very frustrating, because everyone agrees it's a completely worthwhile project, and one of a kind. We've not seen any other that approaches conflict resolution, teaching children other behaviors?, says Hanson.
No one thinks violent video games send children out the next day to murder their friends. But some experts do think they help desensitize children to violence and make them more prone to conflict.
And some psychologists suspect Cool School could offer an antidote. It's directed to young children between five and seven.
?Playing these games would have a long term impact in terms of understanding why you should not hit somebody or not take someone's toys, and what you should do if it does happen?, says one expert.
But if they don't come up with some private money soon, organizers say this whole project will fall apart within at best a few months.
Written by Bruce Leshan
