This letter features reporting from "The US Military Is Embedded in the Gaming World. Its Target: Teen Recruits" Rosa Schwartzburg
Dear Virginia State Delegate Anne Ferrell H. Tata,
The hypnotic glow of the screen is something many modern teens are familiar with. With this generation growing a strong attachment to technology, there’s no denying that digital media has a sizable influence on young, developing minds. U.S. military marketing can be crucial to increasing military recruitment. However, when the military is being marketed through video games targeted towards a young and impressionable audience, many ethical problems arise.
In an article titled “The U.S. Military Is Embedded in the Gaming World. Its Target: Teen Recruits” published in The Guardian, author Rosa Schwartzburg documents the U.S. military’s practice of advertising in video games and the ethical dilemmas that follow. According to Schwartzburg, military marketing using online games has seen a significant increase in recent years, after recruitment struggles became prominent in the armed services. While this may seem like an effective marketing strategy from a certain standpoint, concerns have been voiced about the audience of these advertisements.
Online games are especially popular with young teenagers, ranging from eighteen to just nine years old and younger. This population is incredibly susceptible to false advertisement, primarily due to their underdeveloped frontal lobes, a part of the brain crucial to rational decision making. These online advertisements often hide the disadvantages of military service, which can create a false impression that can be dangerous in the long run. A quote from former U.S. army intelligence analyst Jerimiah Knowles explains the risk: “If I’m patrolling in Afghanistan with my assault rifle and a kid gets too close … That’s not what they put in the advertisements. That’s not what they talk about on their Twitch streams.”
This problem affects me personally, as many of my peers and I are part of the target demographic for these tricky enlistment strategies. Like any other typical teenager, my friends and I spend a significant amount of time online on gaming and entertainment platforms. This is exactly the environment that military marketing has capitalized on. While the effectiveness of these strategies can be debatable, it is still critical to stay cautious with monitoring what information is being spread in media geared towards teenagers.
So, how can the Virginia government help out in this troublesome situation? The main goal is to break the sugar-coated impressions many adolescents share on joining the military. I believe a viable solution to this problem could be to educate more about the full truth of military service in schools. This is an incredibly feasible approach, as it can easily be implemented into the education system. Whether it takes the form of veteran guest speakers or occasional lectures, any step is a valuable breakthrough towards the right direction.
Thank you for considering these important concerns. I urge Virginia’s leaders to take action by implementing educational programs that present a full, realistic picture of military service, empowering teens to make informed choices about their futures.
Sincerely,
Katie Wang

Katie Wang attends Old Donation Middle School (ODS) in Virginia Beach as an 8th grader. Katie is interested in psychology and neurological development; she aspires to become a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist and initiate advancements in those fields. At school, she takes on activities that include math tutoring, Operation Smile, and color guard. Oftentimes, she finds leisure in hobbies that include crocheting, baking, or jogging. Beyond academics, she is involved in the arts, including musical theatre and piano. As a person, she hopes to spark change in the community, providing a better future for all.
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