DIVISION: Controversy has reappeared regarding school shootings as to who, or what is to blame.
By Madison Harris, Staff Writer
In recent years, school shootings have edged closer and closer to a normal occurrence. Many have used social media platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram and Twitter to speak their minds on the topic. Lately, the internet has decided to take a new approach with the use of memes, a picture and word-based media format used for entertainment purposes. The memes are inspired by the big question: Is violent entertainment to blame for the incline of shootings throughout the years? These topics can be split into two polar opposite groups, one being gamers and the other being video game opposers. The “meme-ing” of serious events is not new to the internet, but not every controversial topic becomes a huge debate in the meme world. To understand why this topic is so popular is to identify the roots for its resurfacing.
These memes started to spread like wildfire on Instagram a few weeks ago and not long after the abundant amount of content created had made its way to Youtuber Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, also known as Pewdiepie. In his video Dr.Phil hosts Meme Review, his take was, “… this is just a fun meme show after all. But it seems pretty irresponsible to take a complex issue and just pivot it towards one thing ,”(6:41). Another big influencer Mr.Beast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, tweeted on April 2, 2019, “[m]ake sure you limit your video game time today, I don’t want you to become super violent. Remember, before video games war wasn’t a thing.” Many are unhappy with the idea that video games, something people have come to enjoy all their lives, are being blamed as a primary reason for such outraging acts.
The rebirth of the shootings versus video games debate rose from the dead after President Donald Trump gave traction with his comment on how video games are partly to blame for shootings. Following the mass shooting that happened in El Paso, Texas, on Monday, August 5, 2019, his speech brought forth some interesting ideas, “[w]e must stop the glorification of violence in our society… It is too easy today for troubled youth to surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence,” Trump explained. But these words only angered people, leaving many infuriated over the video game and shooting connections. They argue, how do video games have anything to do with the shootings? There are video games played everywhere and yet they don’t suffer from excessive gun use.
Lately, the internet has cooled down and the memes aren’t as prevalent, yet this topic will never lose importance now, or any time soon. There will always be people who use video games to point the blame at violence and at this rate, change seems impossible.