Video Games

Video Game Effects

Around sixty-seven percent of U.S. households play video games and average almost eight hours of weekly playing time. The video game industry has grown tremendously over the past decade. Thanks to new technological advances, millions of people play video games on their phones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles. Most of the people who play video games are adults, but younger children and teenagers are being introduced to gaming. The effects that video games have on children and teenagers can be both good and bad.

Video games have some negative effects. One way video games can have a negative impact on children and teenagers is health. There are several health risks involved in gaming such as obesity and epilepsy. Children and teenagers can sometimes get carried away with playing games that they do not have time to exercise. Parents should limit gameplay or buy games that involve fun exercising activities such as a Wii. Epileptic people are also at risk since the changes in colors on the video game screen can lead to a seizure. Addiction can also be a problem with video game players. Some children and teens spend countless hours sitting in front of a television or computer screen. People who are addicted to video games have a hard time quitting them just like any other addiction. Squire mentions that “Games can be compelling for players, and any compelling behavior can become addictive.” Children and teens can become more irritable, tired, and lazy due to addiction. This can effect one’s attention span greatly which, in turn, could cause learning problems.

A common argument against video games is that they cause violence. Many studies have been done and data collected, but experts are divided over wheth...

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...ed (Granic). Sociability is very important for children and teenagers which is why gaming is an easy solution. The child or teenager does not have to leave the house. Granic notes “more than 70 percent of gamers play with a friend and millions of people worldwide participate in massive virtual worlds through video games such as ‘Farmville’ and ‘World of Warcraft’”.

Although there is some negative effects from video game playing, there is several positive factors to go along. Video games can strengthen mental and physical skills, but when they are played excessively, they are harmful. Violent video games may cause children and teens to be more aggressive, but they also help spark early learning and creativity. Overall, balancing the potential risks and rewards of video games is important before making a decision whether or not to let a child or teenager play them.