Treatment and prevention professionals urged to combat the use of violent video games

Video games can be a source of relaxation for some individuals. They allow people to enter a fantasy world and perform actions that they normally could or would not dare to do in real-life. However, many parents and educators are worried that some video games are sending today's youth the wrong message.

The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs recently announced that its urging treatment and prevention professionals to take a stand against a video called School Shooter: North American Tour 2012, the Times Square Chronicle reports.

The goal of the video game is to kill unarmed students on a school campus. Officials told the news source that players used guns that were modeled after weapons used in the tragic Columbine High School and Virginia Tech shootings. Furthermore, students have the option of committing suicide in the game to end their shooting spree.

Parents who allow their child to play violent video games may wish to enroll them into recreational therapy as a means of relaxation. These programs allow young people to learn as they play.

According to a 2008 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, nearly 97 percent of teens between ages 12 and 17 play computer, web, portable or console games.