With the exponential growth in the gaming industry, the long-term effects caused by playing video games has been the primary focus for researchers and parents. Addiction and aggressive behaviors triggered by violent content are the leading concerns reflected in investigations about this serious issue. Studies have shown that the “negative outcomes have a stronger link with the younger generation than with adults” (Bond). Excessive gaming can deteriorate academic performance and overall health, such as the eyes, due to constant screen time, as well as hearing from headsets over long periods of time. The long-term effects of gaming can have a negative impact on young people and their mental and physical health. Even though a few hours …show more content…
The younger generation is more susceptible to the many negative effects of playing violent video games compared to adults. Video games are easily assessable to many younger children; they are not properly rated so that parents are aware of the effects that they may have on their children. There are very few regulations and barriers to keep children safe from violent, potentially damaging games. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry agrees that video game content can not only lead to dangerous behavior, but it can also decrease healthy social interactions with family and friends as well as involvement in hobbies, sports, and extracurricular activities inside and outside of school. There is a close relationship between playing video games and increased aggression. However, according to Daphne Bavelier’s TedTalk, “Your Brain on Video Games”, she argues that playing video games are actually beneficial to children, in moderation. “In reasonable doses and at the right age, video games help stimulate the brain, aid in problem-solving skills, and increase brain activity” (Bavelier). While I agree with Bavelier’s assessment of the benefits that come out of …show more content…
Different video games have a different effect on younger generation. Many young adolescents are shaped by the things that are seen, things that are heard, and in conversations that are shared. “If younger children play video games with violent material without supervision, it is more than likely going to shape the way they view violence; it is going to make it more acceptable to them” (Walkerdine 102). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents monitor video game content, limit the time their children devote to these game activities, and encourage healthy interactions with friends when playing video games. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also acknowledged that violent video games are harmful to children and that exposure should be
At this day in age we bask in the luxury of having easy access to advanced technology at our disposal. From the World Wide Web, to cell phones, music, movies and video games the human race has thought of any and everything to keep us entertained. Over the years studies have shown reasonable concerns regarding the long-term effects of video games. These games can desensitize gamers to real life violence, which is usually seen in the younger crowd. The studies especially hit on the games containing player-on-player violence. Though these games are extremely entertaining and can get kids to settle down for a while, if not properly supervised, they can produce adverse effects. Other studies have shown that video games can be used as way to yield positive outcomes such as, good problem solving skills, cooperation in a group and the ability to flow. Although there has been psychological research on children learning through the actions of others some believe that children are automatically able to distinguish between what is just a game and what is reality. The longer they are allowed on their game system the more they become convinced that their games are real. Some researchers believe violent video games can channel the aggression of the child but the parents are to blame for what happens to the child after playing an excessive amount over a period of time. Children can become preoccupied with these violent video games which have been proven to be the cause of poor social skills, uncontrollable aggression and a false reality.
According to Aviv Weinstein (2010), from the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, “Computer game addiction is excessive or compulsive use of computer and video games that may interfere with daily life” (p. 1). A survey done to measure the negative relationship between video games and addiction involved kids from the age of 13 to 17 (Brunborg, G. S., Mentzoni, R. A., & Frøyland, L. R., 2014). To no surprise, there was a relationship between depression, low academic achievement, conduct problems
Anderson, Craig A. "Violent Video Games and Other Media Violence (Part I)." Pediatrics for Parents Vol. no.. Jan/Feb 2010: 28+. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 21 Jan. 2014.
There are so many violent video games it’s hard to find a game without all the violence. If we don’t change the games our young people then they might not have a future. Some people believe video games keep kids of the streets. People don’t know that video games mold are young people monkey see monkey do most. You put your kid in front of a violent video game they will pick up something from that game if it’s good or not they will learn something from that game. Parents if you’re concerned about what kind of game your kid play then you should check the violence...
The allegation that videogames cause violent behavior in children has been present as long as videogames themselves. Some researchers said that the Sandy Hook shooter, Adam Lanza, was one intense gamer. “Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech Shooter was seen by his roomates as odd because he never joined them in video games.”(Beresin) This debate will continue to go on in this country as long as there are horrific crimes that occur. There is much written in the research regarding this issue, and many differing views. The research that is presented in the next few paragraphs supports the theory that it is not the graphic video games that produce aggressive behavior, but other factors in a child’s life that create violent actions.
Desensitization from video games creates a biological response that leads to a lack of empathy and more aggressive behaviors. Furthermore, violence in video games is rewarded, making one more likely to repeat the behavior in real life. Finally, video games allow people to take on roles, and along with one’s inability to separate reality from fantasy, people will take on these roles in real life, leading to many of the recent mass shootings. The debate on video games and violence will carry major significance over these coming years. Although violent video games will not necessarily be banned, there might be moves to educate parents about the dangers of violent video games so that their children can be monitored in the games they choose. However, the debate will not be completely solved. Video games are a multimillion dollar industry and the companies may pay psychologists to agree with their sentiments, prolonging the debate. Although video games are some of the most popular items in the world to own, one must take caution in purchasing them, especially violent
Craig Anderson worked with kids third through eighth grade in singapore to study the effects of video games on children cognitive development(69), specifically focused on violence and hostility, without taking into account many of the other factors. Anderson and his team gave the students a questionnaire, that asks about their video game habits and measures their hostility and aggression, 3 times over the course of 2 years to measure the effects playing video games has on children. Part of the studies findings directly contradict the title of Park’s article showing that rather than video games making us more violent over time, the children including the ones playing more video games were less aggressive as they got older(Park,2014). Children naturally outgrow their tendencies to lash out and find better coping skills(43). In describing Anderson’s research Park uses the ambiguous phrase “long-term gamers” in a study involving only children in grades three through eight. It is hard to imagine that any of these kids could have been gaming long enough to be considered “long term gamers”. Perhaps while she may want the reader to think prolonged exposure to games will lead to violence, she actually means that kids that play for obsessive hours are more likely to have results on Andersons test to indicate that they may have more aggressive behavior. While Anderson’s research does hint that there is a possibility that games affect children negatively it is not concrete
By far the largest concern of technology today is video games. There have been so many experiments and studies to try and figure out if video games have a negative or positive effect on our children. A growing body of research is linking violent video game play to aggressive cognitive, attitudes and behaviors (D.A. Gentile, 2004). Video games can obviously be dangerous for our children causing aggression, bad performances in school and obesity. Although we cant blame all of these problems on the use of video game...
One article points out that video games have a big impact on children’s lives and that many of the games played are violent. Researchers have found that “nearly all children spend time playing video games” and studies have found that “8th graders spent an average of 17 hours per week playing video games” (Tamborini 336). Moreover, 68% of the most popular video games contain violence (Tamborini 336). So it is clear that many children have access to violent video games and they have a big impact on their lives simply because of the amount of time spent playing them.
“As video games have become more violent and more sophisticated and the sales of video games has skyrocketed in the last few decades, youth violence has plummeted,” Ferguson says, citing evidence compiled by various federal agencies (Adams 3). Violence in video games is not a new issue. It has been debated and argued since the release of the first violent video game. As time has progressed, so has the evolution of violence and strong language within video games. Ratings have become more relaxed, and the lines between T (Teen) and M (Mature) rated games has gotten closer together. Violent games are becoming the normal and accepted of all games, and are being demanded by the gaming industry more heavily. Parents have always shied away from these games for their children, regardless of age. However, kids are getting these games whether they are the correct age (17+) or not. Young kids, less than ten years of age are playing horribly violent games and parents are fearing the repercussions. But video games are not to be blamed for child violence. Violence in video games does not cause children to become violent people later on in life.
Over the past 30 years, playing video games has become one of the most popular hobbies worldwide. Not only has the video game industry become a multi-billion dollar industry, but it has attracted people from all age types. While video games today are played by both kids and adults, there are many issues being raised regarding the effects of video games. More particular, is the effect that violent video games may be having on children. Some critics argue that video games are direct indicators of child aggression while video game supporters argue that there is no direct link between child aggression and violent video games. While many people have their own personal stances, this issue is unique because it is unfolding everyday. Scientists and researchers all over the world are continuously doing research regarding the effects of video games on children. Even though this remains a field of uncertainty for researchers, parents should definitely be involved in being aware of what it is that they’re children are playing when they play video games.
middle of paper ... ... Educate your child about violence and video games Set time limits on gaming Encourage your child to do other things besides playing video games. REFERENCES Lieberman, Joe (1997) "Video Game Report Card, 1997" http://www.senate.gov/member/ct/lieberman/releases/r112597a.html. Cesarone, Bernard "Video Games and Children" http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/video.games.html Zarozinski, Michael "Video Game Violence 2001" http://www.louderthanabomb.com/vg_voilence.htm "Fact Sheets: Effects of Video Game Play on Children" http://www.mediafamily.org/research/fact/effect.shtml Children Now "Children and the Media 2001" http://www.childrennow.org/media/video-games/2001/#violence The "Violence in Video Games" http://www.gamezero.com/team-0/articles/features/violence_92/ The "Video Game Violence" http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/vgv.htm Walsh, David A. Video Game Violence: What Does the Research Say? 1998.
Video games are not considered as a serious addiction amongst teenagers and adults, often being compared to severe cases of addiction, such as drug abuse or alcohol abuse that may result in the appearance of a decrease in the severity of the addiction. However, video game addiction is a serious matter and has unhealthy consequences for an individual 's life and their health; spending too much time playing video games can take a great toll on one 's physical and mental well-being. Continuing unhealthy patterns of video game activity for prolonged periods of time can result in mental health issues, physical health problems, and a decline in a social life.
Over the years gaming has become a widely popular aspect of our culture. Kids and teenagers have replaced riding there bike or playing with dolls for video games that connect people together all over the globe .We have all been there at one point and time, there are games for just about anybody. Video games are for all age’s yes us adults love to play them to. Playing video games are fun but not a lot of people realize the impact video games can have on the body physically and mentally. Excessive playing of video games can cause decreased social skills, deterioration in health and increased aggressive behavior.
Video games are often portrayed in a negative manner because they are seen as having an "addictive" quality. Addiction has been defined as "A primary, chronic disease, characterized by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance and/or behavior. Despite the wonderful benefits games offer as diversions, spending too much time, to the neglect of normal life duties, and social development with direct contact with others can and often does happen. Clinically, the manifestations occur along biological, sociological, spiritual and especially psychological. Some psychological effects that affect the behaviors are failure to play outdoor games, difficulties in work or school, telling lies to everyone, decreased attention to personal hygiene, decreased attention to family and friends, and disturbances in the sleep cycle. Many video game addicts have strug...