Video Games Named as Cause for Decline in U.S. Park Attendance
Yes, it’s true. To many children, video games are much, much more exciting than nature.
But what do you expect? You can’t go outside and blow up things without actually hurting anybody–that’s what video games are for.
The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that video games are to blame in part for less people going to state parks. The other major reason? Gas.
But for our purposes here, it looks like the video-game loving kids are much less inclined to want to take a road-trip with the parents because the couch is so much more inviting. And once again, I don’t blame them.
Not to say I don’t love a good hike. 
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5 Comments on Video Games Named as Cause for Decline in U.S. Park Attendance
Mike Fuchs
On May 25, 2007 at 6:34 am
The headline seems misleading though, at least when you look at how the story is written. Video games are mentioned once in the 1,137-word story, and it’s toward the end. And it’s speculative at best. I think the headline writers at the Christian Science Monitor got a little carried away when they in threw in the word “video games” in the headline – at the beginning no less. Will definitely boost page views. Now, I don’t have a horse in this race – if video game usage is reducing park attendance, you can’t argue with facts. But the story should at least back that up.
williams
On May 25, 2007 at 6:44 am
I think it’s funny how all these people in the U.S. keep falling in line like sheep to blame video games for every little thing. This isn’t quite as bad as those who blame violence on games though. I always found it interesting that the people who blame games for violence also happen to be gun supporters.
Carl
On June 5, 2007 at 4:10 am
I would have to agree with “williams” here. These are the people who think that just because our youth plays many video games at such a high rate, they’re rather easily influenced to emulate what they see, when crime and hatred is seen far worse in ghettos and other areas where the influence of video games seems rare to begin with. These anti-video game people are also the ones who fall under the “Darn teens and their music” scene, believing that their choice of music influences rebellious behavior.
While it can be seen that this article points out how our youth would rather play video games than go to parks, it’s fairly clear that the point being conveyed is the opinion that “children should put down the controller and go to the park.”
john of sparta
On June 5, 2007 at 6:12 pm
the video game crowd ain’t going to no place that don’t have wireless.
so those dam parks are gonna have to cater to the old folks.
honey? where’s the restrooms?
LeiLani
On June 5, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Video games, huh? You sure it’s not the extortion passed by Congress, double-taxing us by charging us just to step foot on so-called “public lands?” People can’t afford to go to National Parks, between rising transportation costs and the illegally-passed Public Lands “Demo” fees (which later became a permanent blot on America.) Get your facts straight.