Preview

Video Games and Children

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1123 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Video Games and Children
When live in the digital age, it’s a fact. Children are using more technology than ever and in many ways it makes life safer and easier for families. But when 40- 75% of children in middle school already have cell phones, as well as 89% of children have their own laptops, and 97% of children and young adults play video games and/or own a gaming system. With the prevalence of video games obvious many adults have started asking themselves how these games affect their children. Should I be worried that my child is playing violent video games? How long should I allow my child to play video games? These questions are ones parents who are raising children in the era of technology should be asking, these are the questions that have prompted experts to conduct countless studies on the topic. So here it is the good, bad, and ugly of video games effect on children. I will present information on the positive effects of gaming the negative effects of gaming, and what experts recommend is healthy for a child. Violent shoot ‘em up games or seemingly mindless racing games like Mario Kart or time consuming apps like Angry Birds don’t necessarily bring pleasant thoughts to many parents minds but believe it or not there are some positive effects from video games. Video games actually improve problem solving and logic skills. Specifically, the popular app Angry Birds forces children and adults alike to quickly come up with creative solutions to problems. As for those violent video games parents begrudgingly by their children, well they tend to increase hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and spatial skills. Shooting games often require the virtual character to be running and shooting at the same time. In order to be successful the real life controller must keep track of the character, obstacles in the characters way, the targets position, and the speed at which they are pursuing each other and if the gunfire is hitting the target. Processing this information indeed causes the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Best Essays

    The playing of video games was investigated to observe and analyse the consequences on children. The effects on social interaction, psychological, in particular aggressive behaviour, health and academic performance were determined by the exploration of various research journals, and literature pertaining to such. Video games over the last 30 years have made an impact on the way children spend their leisure time. However, it was only during the last decade that any kind of research was done to study the effect of these games on children. Some results prove that are negative effects on young minds and behaviours, still others are inclusive as to the negative effects, while some favoured the games as a positive, especially in the hand-eye co-ordination and educational software. Some, however, lay the responsibility fully on the part of parents and guardians to control the amount of time that children spend on video games to negate whatever ill effects it may have on their behavior, health and academic performance.…

    • 2197 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    With the media crying aggression, studies contradicting each other, and the rapid growth of the gaming industry, it is understandably difficult for parents to differentiate facts from fallacies. While many parents wish there was an all or nothing answer to the question of if games help or hinder their child’s development, this topic is far too complex. Infact, many studies either hold inconclusive or contradictory results. However, as we move further into 21st century changing, there has been a shift in findings. Many studies now refute the idea that videogames cause violence or, if the results support it, they are still weary to confirm them as 100% accurate. There are many other studies that have been conducted concerning the possible benefits of gaming. These studies have found that due to…

    • 2084 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Video games around the world have become immensely popular, a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry which revolves around the wants and desires of children and teens. An industry with a creation of unique entertainment like no other. An industry that continues to grow rapidly. Hours and hours are spent each day by youths playing these games, but are they really good for them? Are they educational? Games which educate a child’s mind exist but they wouldn’t be as popular as your top seller shooting game. Nowhere even close. Here I am today to tell, to inform, and to enlighten parents on the dangers of letting your child play these violent games.…

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Video games have much wider effects than violence allot of games support a virtual world where a player has to use his or her spatial logical or knowledge to advance in the game. While it’s suggested that first person view shooting games can have a violent effect they often require and improve skills at physics when a player has to decide when…

    • 690 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Video Games and Kids

    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Video game affect kids negatively could be a good reason to make a kid violent and make him a killer. According to Anderson, Craig A at “Violent Video Games and Other Media Violence” he said that video game. Video games affect kids and make theme violent. When the kids consume a lot of violent materiel, he gets confuse between the reality and the fantasy. The kids think that hitting, kicking are allowed in real life. According to Anderson, Craig A, he sees in his essay “Violent Video Games and Other Media Violence (Part 1)” that the player needs to distinguish between fantasy and real violence. AS result, the player exposes his violence toward his surrounding and become violent. Anderson suggest at the same essay that video games are not only the cause for violence, but others effect as biological, neighborhood and family could attribute in this violence.…

    • 1508 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Video Games Are Beneficial

    • 1909 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Video Games have come a long way since their first introduction into the main stream. With video games becoming more sophisticated and using advanced technology, it seems as if video games are closing in on the gap between games and reality. However, as video games become ever so life-like it brings up the question of if the violence associated with video games is having a negative consequence. There have been many accusations over the years over the harm video games are causing children and teenagers. Experiments have been conducted trying to associate a link between video games and aggressive behavior. Even the media has been known to point fingers at video games for the cause of children committing criminal activity. Despite these many accusations, I tend to argue that video games are not as harmful to the mind as portrayed by the media, and instead beneficial.…

    • 1909 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Videogames: Pros and Cons

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The impacts of video games, both positive and negative, have been the subject of many scientific research projects in the last few years. A large number of youths are playing increasingly violent video games. Researchers say that violent video games may contribute to a cold-hearted view and the desensitization to violence. In a 1982 Surgeon General report, concerns about video games were listed. It was feared that video games would cause teenagers to become less sensitive to the pain of others, make them more fearful of the world, and would cause them to behave more aggressively towards others. Another con of video games is the excessive playing of the games negatively affects the player’s education. Violence towards women, school shootings, and the increase in bullying are all a few of the supposed side effects of playing violent video games. Critics argue that violent games teach children that aggression is an acceptable way to solve conflicts.…

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Video and computer games, like many popular, entertaining and addicting kid activities, are looked down upon by many parents as time-wasters, and worse, parents think that these games rot the brain. Also, violent video games are readily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some youth become violent or commit extreme anti-social behavior. But many scientists and psychologists find that video games actually have many benefits – the main one being making kids smart. Video games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills that they will need in the future.…

    • 2397 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Seven hours is the amount of hours a day the average American child plays a video games (Anderson 354), and with technology advancing and games becoming more graphic, the concern over a violent game’s effect over a child’s development is growing. What does playing video games for seven hours do to a child’s development? Violent, role-playing video games adversely affects a child’s development and causes aggression in children and adolescents; these games desensitize players, reward hurt and destruction, and glorify dangerous weapons.…

    • 1669 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Drea Christopher's persuasive article "The Negative Effects of Video Games" lists unwanted effects of video games. The writer emphasizes that extreme gameplay can influence kid's lifecycle. First, the author affirms that child is insufficient or reluctant to attend any hobbies or out of class events. Second, Christopher believes that an electronic gameplay abuse can have an unwanted power on wellness. Finally, the writer affirms that your son or daughter's contacts with companions and relatives may be damaged because of spending a lot of time on computer. Through research, I have found evidence that corroborates one point of Christopher's; in addition, my research has led to me think I have grounds to challenge…

    • 1104 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    It was Pong, the first ever arcade video game. Since then, video games have come a long way from just consisting of a pixelated ball and paddle. There are different themes and genres that appeal to all ages. From educational games to virtual reality the possibilities are endless. Recently, video games that contain violence and adult content have been under multitudes of scrutiny for being claimed to cause aggression in people and even change parts of the brain for the worse. Although it seems that playing games on electronic devices, especially violent ones would be damaging to children and adults, there are studies that show that violent video games have many benefits. These games have been proven to build self esteem and relationships in shy children, improve memory and multitasking skills, and can be used as a beneficial learning…

    • 1105 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the last decade, attention and accusations within the media have turned more to the meteoric rise in popularity of arcade-type home computer and console games. Considerable anecdotal evidence abounds about how teenagers are affected by shoot-em-up and beat-em-up games. Zimbardo (1982) remarked that video games are so addictive to young people that they may be socially isolating and may actually encourage violence between people. Another comment came from the surgeon-general of the United States, who expressed his personal view that video games were one of the root causes of family violence in America. He was quoted as saying that children "are into the games, body and soul - everything is zapping the enemy. Children get to the point where when they see another child being molested by a third child, they just sit back" (Koop, 1982).…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Many people have always been looking for some type of entertainment, and it has been through many forms, from playing with toys, to playing cards, to playing sports, and etc. However, nowadays with so much access to technology and everything that it offers. Various entertainments are way more exciting and sophisticated. Among the new electronic inventions, the 21th century has revealed video games, a new exhilaration creating a virtual word on computers, on TV and different platforms like smartphones. Which can be very useful in a dull, vague or boring situation. Video games have turned to be an amazing source of entertainment because of their diversity, their innovation, and their capacity to be so close to the reality. It has been shown that video games were developing skills for gamers and were a great social instrument. Nevertheless, videogames have always been a subject of controversy and seen by a lot of people/parents as dangerous and a bad influence, causing addiction, bad behaviors, or even violence, which is true! However there are many Positive effects as well. In this essay I will explain the causes and effects of video games on an individual such as myself; and how I tend to abuse good things without moderation. I state many opinions that embrace new technologies and see it as a great social instrument; But overall explaining how playing Video games can create and cause some positive and negative effects on my lifestyle.…

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Before turning to the negative effects of violent video games however, it is important to stress that video games can have many helpful benefits. There have been research studies to correlate the fact that violent video games elicit violent behaviour in children, but the correlation does not mean causation (Granic et al., 2013). Playing video games, including violent shooter games provide youth with immersive and compelling social, cognitive, and emotional experiences (Granic et al., 2013). Certain studies propose that these experiences may have the potential to enhance mental health and well-being in children and adolescents (Granic et al., 2013). Granic et al. (2013) found that video games can have social benefits for…

    • 2279 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    One final effect video games have on our children is that it fouls their mind. Most video games our children play are not appropriate for their ages, but even those which are meant to be for their ages, still contain inappropriate contents. Fighting, killings, slangs and nudity…

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays