Thursday, January 31, 2013

What are the effect of playing video games to children?


                The good and bad effects of children playing video games always a hot topic discussed by people. Some children turn into bad habits with their homework because most of their time occupied by playing video games. That’s why most of the parent not allows their kids play with video games.  In my point of view, I disagree with children plays video games.
                Let’s talk about the bad effect of playing video games. A 2001 study found that exposure to violent video games correlates with at least a temporary increase in aggression and a decrease in prosocial behavior. This is a serious problem brought by video games. Former military psychologist and moral reformer David Grossman argues that because the military uses games in training, the generation of young people who play such games are similarly being brutalized and conditioned to be aggressive in their everyday social interactions. Children who are still not enough mature cannot differentiate good and bad. If they waste most of their time in playing video games, they are affected by the content in video games easily.  Besides, children are tend to become insensitive and cold towards other people.
                Furthermore, playing video games surely affect the academic result of the children, as the pay more effort in playing video games rather than studying.  Study is one of the responsibilities of a child, they should study hard to have a bright future. Play with video games does not bring any benefits to their career in the future. Gaming can be very addictive and just leave a little time for them in learning. Thus, playing video games are not meaningful at all.
                Moreover, another consequence brought by playing video games is the negative health effect. Children who addicted with video games always stay in the their room or cyber café, instead of going for exercise or other outdoor activities. This may cause obesity as they just sit in front of the computer and does not do any physical activity. Not only obesity, those who play video games for a long period may suffer an eye problem as they use too much time to stare at the screen of computer. In a study conducted in 2011 in Karachi, Pakistan, an experienced gamers have lower heart rates compared to others.
                Although there are a lot of consequences of playing video games, there are some potential pros by video games. Video games can test a child’s brain. A lot of games need good solving problem abilities to successfully complete a game. Sometimes, this kind of skill cannot learnt from real life of a child or even in school. This might help in their life in the future.
                In the nutshell, it is not necessary to stop children from playing video games but it is needed to control by parents. Use a little time in playing video games might bring some benefits to children, but not addictive in playing video games.
                                                                                                                                                Loh Wei Shan, group 8

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