Q: My son recently started playing the video game Phasmophobia. It is a horror investigation survival game. There are more than 20 ghost types: Banshee, Demon, Goryo, Hantu, Jinn, Mare, Myling, Obake, Oni, Onry. Some of the types of objects used with them are crucifixes, Ouija boards and cursed items. Is this a dangerous game to have in the home? Or is it harmless? And if so, how do I explain this to my son? ‒ L.
Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:
A quick disclaimer: Ask a Priest is no expert on contemporary video games.
That said, anything that combines ghosts and Ouija boards and crucifixes in the same venue doesn’t sound like a work of the Holy Spirit.
Not only could the game instill a disrespect for religious images, in extreme cases it could also soften up a person for worse things, such as the occult.
It seems as though your son needs to be nudged into other ways of using his time. He always needs to be helped to live his faith more deeply.
Does your family pray together and attend Mass together? Do you speak of religious and moral things at the dinner table?
Could your son get involved in volunteer work at the parish? Could he and his dad get away on a father-son retreat? Or at least spend more time together?
Obviously, I don’t know your family situation. It’s a prudential call whether you want to ban the game. That carries a risk since people have a way of getting around the rules.
For now, try to dialogue with your son and get him involved in work for others. Face-to-face contact with people will form him better than any video game will.
Count on my prayers.
