Entry 71
I was watching a program on VOA the other month, it was about a clinic which has been established in the US for the children addicted to computer games ...
The speaker said that some of the children are addicted to cocaine so that they can stay up late & continue playing the games ...
Later on that program when the speaker was talking to the psychotherapist who was invited to discuss the subject, she told him, " I hope I haven't become addicted to the internet myself, because everyday I am in a rush to check my emails ! "
Anyway, while surfing the net, I found the two following texts on this subject :
Question: Can spending too much time playing video games hurt my child?
Answer: Yes. Excessive video-game playing can have a negative effect on a young child for several reasons:
* Kids who spend too much time at the computer are missing out on other activities fundamental to their physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. Time spent in front of the computer or game console is time taken away from playing with friends, reading or a doing a project with you, or playing outside.
* Kids often play video games alone, and too much time spent alone can cause social isolation. • Children who watch more than ten hours of TV a week don't do as well in school as children their age who watch less. When setting limits, it's important to consider the total amount of time your child spends in front of electronic screens, including TVs, computers, video consoles, and movie screens.
• Bad habits can become ingrained and are more difficult to change as children get older. (According to research, the average American 4th-grade boy spends 9.5 hours each week playing video and computer games — in addition to other screen time.)
• Research shows that if your child regularly plays games with plots based on violence and aggression, he's at risk for increased aggressive behavior. In addition, some games promote gender bias and irresponsible sexual behavior.
It's important to remember, however, that video and computer games aren't all bad. Quality games give children the opportunity to practice problem-solving and logic skills. They increase fine motor and coordination skills and encourage an interest in information technology. And, if you are playing the games with your child — something I highly recommend — they provide an occasion for you to do something together. Your best bet is to limit video-game playing now while your child is still young. In addition, be a smart consumer and choose video games for your child that aren't sending the wrong message.
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Effects Of Video Game Playing On Children
Positives
* Video game playing introduces children to computer technology.
* Games can give practice in following directions.
* Some games provide practice in problem solving and logic.
* Games can provide practice in use of fine motor and spatial skills.
* Games can provide occasions for adult and child to play together.
* Players are introduced to information technology.
* Some games have therapeutic applications with patients.
* Games are entertaining.
Negatives
* Over-dependence on video games could foster social isolation, as they are often played alone.
* Practicing violent acts may contribute more to aggressive behavior than passive television watching. Studies do find a relationship between violent television watching and behavior.
* Women are often portrayed as weaker characters that are helpless or sexually provocative. * Game environments are often based on plots of violence, aggression and gender bias.
* Many games only offer an arena of weapons, killings, kicking, stabbing and shooting.
* Playing violent video games may be related to aggressive behavior (Anderson & Dill, 2000; Gentile, Lynch & Walsh, 2004). Questions have been raised about early exposure to violent video games.
* More often games do not offer action that requires independent thought or creativity.
* Games can confuse reality and fantasy.
* In many violent games, players must become more violent to win. In "1st person" violent video games the player may be more affected because he or she controls the game and experiences the action through the eyes of his or her character.
* Academic achievement may be negatively related to over-all time spent playing video games. (Anderson & Dill, 2000; Gentile, Lynch & Walsh, 2004)
Reasons children give for playing video games:
* It's fun
* Like to feel in control
* Releases tension
* Relieves boredom
* Develops gaming skills
* Feel a sense of mastery
You can read the whole texts in these websites:
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/expert/bigkid/ggames/71259.html
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/facts_effect.shtmln
