Preview

The Effects of Video Games

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1501 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Effects of Video Games
The Harmful Effects of Video Games Vs. The Benefits Aaron Winterstein
October 14, 2012

The Harmful Affects of Video Games Vs. The Benefits There are many questions about video games and how they affect children. I believe that video games are harmful to children in many ways. Many studies have tried to prove that they are harmful, as well that they are also beneficial to children. It is difficult to understand which argument is the truth behind the research. I believe that the harmful effects are greater than the benefits. The benefits that the children can learn through video games can also be taught to them other ways besides just video games. Video games are not the only way to teach the children values and how to live properly. Video games are damaging the way that our children think and act, as well as harming their bodies by teaching them wrong morals about themselves and others. The first way that video games are harming our youth is psychologically. There was a study published in the Journal of personality and Social Psychology that children that were playing video games were reported to be more aggressive than those of children that do not play video games. Previous research has documented that playing violent video games has various negative effects on social behavior in that it causes an increase in aggressive behavior and a decrease in prosocial behavior. In contrast, there has been much less evidence on the effects of prosocial video games. In the present research, 4 experiments examined the hypothesis that playing a prosocial (relative to a neutral) video game increases helping behavior. In fact, participants who had played a prosocial video game were more likely to help after a mishap, were more willing (and devoted more time) to assist in further experiments, and intervened more often in a harassment situation. Results further showed



References: Bedinghaus (2008). Video Games and Vision - Video Games May Cause Vision Problems in Kids. About Vision - Eyes and Vision Problems - Eye Health - Vision and Eye Care. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://vision.about.com/od/childrensvision/qt/Video_Games.htm Computer games - health issues | Better Health Channel. (2012, September 11). Home | Better Health Channel. Retrieved October 7, 2012, from http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Computer_games_health_issues Dr. Phil.com - Advice - Children and Violent Video Games. (2012). Dr. Phil.com. Retrieved October 7, 2012, from http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/297 Gentile, PhD, D. A. (2000). Pediatrics for Parents. Pediatrics for Parents. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://www.pedsforparents.com/articles/2791.shtml Greitemeyer, Tobias, Osswald, & Silvia (2012). Effects of Prosocial Video Games on Prosocial Behavior. American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 25, 2012, from http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&id=993617CC-95FF-E099-47CA-8791DAA7640B&resultID=1&page=1&dbTab=pa Iowa State University (2011, May 22). Video game effects on kids: Not all black and white, expert argues. Science Daily. Retrieved October 18, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2011/05/110510101504.htm Why Video Games Are Good for Your Kids. (2012). ReadWriteWeb - Web Apps, Web Technology Trends, Social Networking and Social Media. Retrieved October 7, 2012, from http://readwrite.com/2012/02/29/why_video_games_are_good_for_your_kids

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    There are the effects of video games on children and teenagers. Tend to be more aggressive, kids spending too much time playing video games may exhibit impulsive and attention problems. Failing grades, too much video game playing makes your kid socially isolated. Also, he may spend less time in other activities such as doing homework, reading, sports, and interacting with the family and friends. Violent behavior, some video games teach kids the wrong values. Violent behavior, vengeance and aggression are rewarded. Negotiating and other nonviolent solutions are often not. And also bad health effects, video games may also have bad effects on some children health, including…

    • 434 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Un Nintended Benefits

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Is it true that video games are bad? Anti-social, aggressive behavior, and even health risks? Not all the time, as Dave Barry would say. Many video games such as, sports, adventure and strategy games, can all improve mental skills. It may also improve a better process of thinking, problem solving, and cognitive skills and also reduce stress. They provide a unique, interactive and complex activity, at low cost and zero…

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Funk, Jeanne. “Children and Violent Video Games: Are There "High Risk" Players?” www.afim.org/highrisk.pdf. Jan. 30 2009. Web. Oct 10, 2010…

    • 1704 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Is Gaming Harmful?

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Although some could argue that video games can do children social harm as many children play there selves for many hours each day and rarely interact with their family or friends. They could also argue that video games can cause great physical harm. The physical harm can occur when the child spends long hours of concentration on fast movement or because of…

    • 584 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    On the other hand, video games these days are becoming more and more violent which is not only deteriorating physical health of children but also mental health. In other words, children are becoming more and more sedentary, obese, not physically healthy and mentally ill too. They are being involved more and more in violent…

    • 1087 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The video game player’s personality will be affected in many ways. For example, playing decreases prosocial behaviors, this includes activities such as giving to charity, volunteering, and overall “helping” behaviors. Some studies have proved that video game players lead to an increase in antisocial behavior. These frequently users rather isolate from others and play than socialize. When playing becomes an addiction, their personality has completely transformed into an isolated antisocial person.…

    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Greitemeyer, Tobias, and Silvia Osswald. "Effects of prosocial video games on prosocial behavior." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 98.2 (2010): 211-221. PsycARTICLES. EBSCO. Web. 18 Oct. 2010.…

    • 2619 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Mac & Cheese

    • 571 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The article “Why Games are Good for You” by Steven Johnson presents reasons why electronic video games are not harmful. While other people have written and talked about the harms that video games bring to young people. , Steven Johnson argues just the opposite. He says that video games have many benefits including making us smarter.…

    • 571 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In conclusion I have learned throughout this research that video games in fact do have a major impact on young adolescents in today’s time whether it’s positive or negative. I’ve also realized that for one some kids may act out because of theses sometime violent games and that for two they may improve in their behavior by these games as well. There isn’t really a yes or no answer to this research topic ,but maybe parents should just get games more appropriate for their child’s age…

    • 1166 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Video Game Controversy

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a video game as “an electronic game played by means of images on a video screen and often emphasizing fast action.” While this is the extent of the physical aspect of video games, the gameplay and story telling portions are much more extensive and diverse. In order to tell different stories, creators had to create different genres, which led to different experiences for the vast population of video game players. Since these genres were created, and because video games are so immersive, people began playing video games more and more. As the number of video game players grew, people started to notice differences in the attributes of players. Studies began popping up that showed shocking results. These studies were showing that certain mental actions were enhanced in the brains of those who play video games. Their reaction time was quicker, their hand eye coordination was better, along with various other positive aspects. While people were making false claims about video games being bad for people, the studies were simply telling another…

    • 1036 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While it is true to much of anything can hurt you as long as you aren't playing them all day every day kids are fine. Also video games get the brain working a lot for when playing you are making decisions,solving puzzles,reacting to input, and working with others. So overall the possible bad effects of video games does not outweigh the benefits.…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Violent Video Games

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Video games with violent themes are a very large part of the American culture. Children and young adults spend an enormous amount of time playing video games in today’s world. It is a popular belief that video games cause violent behavior in children and young adults. There have been hundreds of studies to either prove or disprove the idea that violent video games cause violent action in real life. In my opinion, the link between violent games and the behavior problems seen in some of today’s youth is just not there. Many of the studies are inconclusive. The studies I have found that are not inconclusive, I find to have unanswered questions and missing variables.…

    • 1014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Today's games depict some of the most horrific acts humanly possible and allow players to earn rewards for acting them out. Some children find it difficult to separate reality from video game. As studies have shown, children that spend a vast amount of their time playing violent video games demonstrate less prosocial behaviors, have hard times interacting with their peers, and display aggressive behaviors (Bushman Anderson, 2009).…

    • 836 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Videogames Benefits

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Most people think that playing video games will lead you to a life of crime, delinquency, and misery. The opposite, however, is true. Video games can be used properly to improve the coordination and concentration physically, socially, and mentally to benefit the user. Does this mean kids should spend all day playing? No. This occurs when they are used properly and in moderation. Contrary to what most of the people believes, video games can actually help your motorskills no matter how younger people are.…

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Therefore, video games can have bad effects on children. We should direct our children to use diverse means of entertainment that could also be useful. Some computer games are designed to mingle education and entertainment in one package. Children should also practice other outdoor activities and socialise…

    • 302 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays