Effects of Gaming Systems - Essay Example

Effects of Gaming Systems Gaming systems such as Xbox, PlayStation and the new Nintendo Wii can provide hours of entertainment for children and adults alike. One of the first commercial video games, Pong was a simple theme based on the game of Ping Pong. As technology for gaming systems was enhanced and graphics made more realistic, more aggressive and violent games appeared on the market. Though some non-violent games are available today for all systems, the majority are violent, aggressive and often contain sexuality.

An inspection of the games available on the shelves of Best Buy or even the local Wal- Mart is evidence of this. There are many experts in agreement that playing violent video games and playing them for extended periods of time are causing children to become aggressive and anti social in their behavior. There are also experts who disagree. There is no question that constant playing of video games can lead to childhood obesity. Nearly everyone can agree that lack of exercise in children causes weight gain.

Children who spend all their spare time in activities of any type that lack physical exertion will cause weight gain. It has been difficult to prove that violent video games leads to aggressive behavior, due to limitations of research studies. As games become more violent however, there is more evidence to show that violent games cause aggressive behavior. It is a logical assumption to conclude that violent video games lead to aggressive behavior, given what is known about violent TV programs and movies.

Fifty years of research have provided strong evidence that “even brief exposure to violent TV or movie scenes causes significant increases in aggression. Repeated exposure of children to media violence increases their aggressiveness as young adults. Media violence is a significant risk factor in youth violence” (Anderson & Bushman, 2004). It follows that violence in video games, which are increasingly realistic in their depiction of violence Effects of Gaming Systems 2 and its effects, should cause similar effects on youth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association rely on scientific evidence that shows violence of television leads to aggressive behavior in children. Social Scientists also suggest that aggressive behavior should increase in children in the future, based on what is known about child behavior. Children imitate the actions of those whom they identify with. The actions of main characters, who are often the perpetrators of violence in games leave children with a distorted idea of who they should mimic or emulate.

“ Repetition increases learning. Video games involve a great deal of repetition. If the games are violent, then the effect is a behavioral rehearsal for violent activity. Rewards increase learning, and video games are based on a reward system” (Walsh, 2001). Obesity, violence and aggression are not the only effects that gaming systems and video games have on children. Those who feel that they have little control over their external environments can become anti social in behavior.

Video games offer a world where children have control over characters, actions and outcomes. This can lure children to the game even more, creating a children who become more withdrawn from family and peers. Children may loose interest in activities and fall behind in school work. Such behavior is well documented in adults, who have lost families and ruined careers due to extensive video gaming. This is similar to the effects that viewing pornography have on adults. It is just about sex, but rather provides an escape from the realities of life, whether from a wife, family responsibilities or some other expectation.

All games have a rating system similar to that of movies and TV programs. Still parents allow their children to play video games, often for hours at a time. Video games may keep children out of trouble and off the streets. Parents often do not think about the Effects of Gaming Systems 3 long term effects. Pediatricians and school counselors should promote responsible and monitored video gaming for children of all ages. It’s hard to say no, when children see what their friends do in their spare time with respect to video games.

Limits should be set on amounts of time spent gaming, as well as the content of games. Parents should be made aware of all the effects gaming can have on their children. They should balance the daily lives of their children with proper exercise, limited gaming(an hour or less is recommended, and limited viewing of violent content, whatever the source. References. Walsh, D. (2001). Video Game Violence and Public Policy. Retrieved July 12, 2007 from http://culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/conf2001/papers/walsh.

html Anderson, C & Bushman, B. (2004). Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal and Prosocial Behavior. Retrieved July 11, 2007 from http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2000-2004/01AB.pdf