Essay On Negative Effects Of Playing Video Games

“Adverse Effects of Playing Violent Video Games” Can playing violent video games have detrimental effects on teens? According to an article by M. Lee and Laura Finley entitled “Video Games Are Addictive and Promote Irresponsible Behavior” the authors’ claim, “Research shows disturbing links between exposure to violent video games and desensitization to violence in the real world "(Lee M. and Laura Finley). In other words the article confirms that video game violence can have negative social and emotional effects on adolescents. It can be asserted that playing video games has benefits, such as improved hand and eye coordination, and encouraging prompt decision making. However, the negative effects of violent video game playing far outweigh

To begin with, playing violent video games causes juveniles to internalize negative values. The visual graphics and life like situations that gamers face, makes it difficult to separate fantasy from reality when it comes to making moral decisions. The landscapes of the games encourage gender bias and racial stereo typing.In Michael Marriott’s New York Times article, “The Color of Mayhem” he notes the use of minority characters in video games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas explaining as, “Violent video games underscore a trend depicting minorities in racial stereotypes, including young blacks committing and reveling in street violence” (Marriot). He means to say, that assuming the role of minority characters in violent video games

Gruel, a criminal defense lawyer working out of San Francisco, argues that the State should set stricter guidelines in the sale of violent games to teens. He attests that, “Data continually and strongly suggests that participating in the playing of violent video games by children increases aggressive thoughts and behaviors” (Gruel). This is important because he believes that video games are having a long term negative impact on young people. The majority of violent video games reward players for their increase use of violence throughout the game. Gamers are encouraged to ignore calls for help from “victims”, respond to attacks with the use of weapons, and injure or kill as many characters with in the game as possible. These violent scenarios are often played out in the first person as the gamer navigates through the game by viewing the violence through the main characters eyes. Killing quickly and with a variety of weapons or tools is rewarded by more points or levels. Participating in virtual violence can contribute to physically aggressive behavior towards peers and adults in teens. Gruel shares that teens that play violent video games have a harder time relating to their environment, and become physically aggressive. “Intense interactions with violent video games raise adrenaline levels in children and produces extended physiological arousal. In the medical community