There is a growing demand for teen pregnancy mods in "The Sims." This simulation video game, where players build characters to do daily tasks that imitate real life, offers tons of features. Game creator EA Mathis has specifically not included a feature that lets teenage virtual characters get pregnant in the game but it isn't stopping the players from creating "The Sims" mods.
According to Kotaku, teen pregnancy mods or modifications and workarounds using third party sources in "The Sims" have become a growing obsession among real teenagers online. They create characters for the purpose of roleplaying a pregnancy, complete with ultrasound check-ups, birth announcements and anything that mimics teen pregnancy in real life, including the struggles.
Some gamers have even created stories about their pregnant teen characters on "The Sims," which have also gained a strong following. This video below is an example, which has been created by avid "The Sims" player ForeignSimmer.
ForeignSimmer also keeps an Instagram of her pregnant teen Sim and has over 30,000 followers. "The Sims" players are also follow kiwisimming and Xuriela for a glimpse of what their pregnant teen characters are doing in the game.
Should this trend on "The Sims" worry parents? Is this game obsession promoting teen pregnancy in real life? Do kids realize that simulation games are far different from reality? ForeignSimmer, kiwisimming and Xuriela have received criticisms from the public for what they are creating. According to Teen Vogue, teen pregnancy is still considered a taboo even in "The Sims" world and there still exists a stigma around it.
But this is not the first controversy about "The Sims" as the game has also been criticized for promoting torture and violence with players deliberately kill each other's characters. Psychologist Dr. Jamie Madigan believes that taboo activities players engage in simulations like "The Sims" are part of human interest, according to PC Gamer. "People may simply be curious about what happens when they create these situations," he said.
What are your thoughts on this parents? Do you have a teenager into "The Sims" and does this trend worry you? Let us know in the comments.
