The Problem with Video Games - Case Study Example

Should computer games be banned from children? The world we see around us today is much different from the world, which existed mere 20 years ago. This is because of the rapid advancement in technology. Technology has changed our lives drastically. It has not only upgraded us but also shaped our lives the way we live today. Many a thing, which we consider as a part of necessary living today, was a luxury a few years back. But thanks to rapid technological advancement we have them a now as a part of our daily lives. Technology has changed our lives; it has upgraded it and even made it much easier and comfortable. However, every good invention has both its pros and cons. Along with the betterment of our lives; it has also introduced many problems in it. The most interesting phase of our world’s development was marked when man discovered computers. Computers are now a part of our daily living. We cannot think our lives without them. We are heavily dependent on them for all our work. Video game was invented in the year 1947. It marked the birth of cathode ray tube amusement device. We have come a long way from it because now video game is on virtual realities. They now encompass a wide variety of simulations, which make them both entertaining and engrossing too. However, the problem with the video games now a days is that they are filled with adult content and violence. The viewers’ discretion which is to be maintained in playing such adult games are not maintained because most of the parents are either too busy or they actually have no idea about the type of video games that their child is being exposed to. This in turn has raised the issue of debate that whether or not these games are effecting the children in adverse ways or not and if yes, then should it result in their ban. The debate of whether or not the video games should be banned from the children has come up as a major issue because most of the video games now a day’s contain explicit materials in the form of sexual innuendos, cursing , violence or the like. In order to make the video game more akin to the life we live, the gamers are exposing the children to a world of harsh realities for which they are not prepared yet. The explicit simulations of car crash or the military action killing may be entertaining and engrossing for adults but the small children and teenagers who are exposed to this violence is not fit for it mentally. Few violent video games, which expose the children to violence, are Call of duty, Second life, Need for speed, and the like. Many others expose the kids to other types of harsh realities such as murder, death, mass killing and even encourage them to do so because they play the murderer in the game. These simulation games are not only adult in nature but they are also addictive. The addiction level of the video games have reached to such an extent that now many adults too are completely engrossed in the. Although this marks a very significant rise in the billion dollar game industry, which is now thriving, it also marks the loss of human activities. This is because an average human in today’s world is more interested in playing games on his computer or console than to go out and carry out some outdoor activity. We now live in an age of virtual reality where we do not have imaginary but fake friends or as we call them fake, hidden profiles on the social networking sites, where they stalk us and haunt us. Crimes too have reached the virtual lives in the shape of stolen identity, identity modification, and the like. An average human loves to spend virtual hours on the virtual platform engaging him in games or other types of simulations. Video games have now evolved to become an advance level of interactive story telling where the users exposed to uncertainties of life where every action of theirs has an equal and opposite reaction. Video games are mediums to shape and prepare individuals to become responsible adults by not only helping them in building their character but also helping them to grow as individuals. The video games if used properly can help the children in their development by increasing their word count, by keeping them 1engrossed and busy. Different video games can help the learning processes of the children simple and easy for them to understand by the method of interaction. There are many people, parents who say that video games should be banned for all children. The reasons that they cite is that the violent video games that mostly attract the attention of children are the reason that dilutes their mental thought process, which results in disturbing their morality, which confuses them in their distinction between wrong and right. Many blame the tragedy, which took place in the case of Adam Lamza, which resulted in the killing of 26 students at Newtown elementary school on excessive use of violent video games by the killer.1 Thus, the parents and others thought that banning video games would result in a better atmosphere for the children to grow in. Video games influence the kids in various ways. This is because what we see visually affects our learning and our mentality quite easily.2In addition; the children are at a certain age that their minds get molded because their minds are heavily impressionable. In addition, most people have supported in the ban of the video games because of the reasons that they are affecting the health of the children adversely. Teenagers suffer with addiction tendencies with video games because most of the video games are very interactive and life like. The experts have also cited that the violent video game not only to encourage violent tendencies among teenagers but also it blurs their distinction between right and wrong. 3 This happens mainly because the teenagers who spend most of their time in playing games such as Call of duty for instance, murdering people by the use of guns becomes very normal for them because they keep on repeating the action constantly. In the aspect of health, we can say that, human body benefits by exercise, fresh air that these children lack because most of their time is spent in staying glued to the computers or gaming consoles. Constant watching of the computer screens causes harm to the eyes because of the harmful rays emitted from them. Therefore, the experts unanimously ban the watching on TV or playing of video games for kids who are below 2 years of age. Few others argue that video games are the next generation’s way of storytelling.4 A multibillion-dollar industry, which is on the past pace of increasing day by day, cannot blame for the degeneration of the society. The experts believe that although violence is present in the video games, banning the video games cannot erase the violence from the society. Adam, the murderer, showed signs of a psychopath who hated his school and took out his frustration in these video games, which finally resulted in him murdering 26 people at his school. However, later studies have found out that he was mentally ill and had personal problems. Most experts suggest that banning the kids from playing video games is not a solution at all.5They suggest a method of restrictive mediation, which is the method of underling certain hours of screen time for the children. Restrictive mediation stops the children from playing video games for long uncontrolled hours. They also suggest Instructive mediation. 6 Instructive mediation means that talking to the children and discussing about the video games or the adult films that they are allowed to watch and what they mean. This method encourages discussion, which helps the parents to understand the mentality of their children and guide them in case they see any problems in them. Social cowering is discouraged although it is effective to certain extent.7 Social cowering means that watching the same movie or playing the video game along with the children but not discussing with them. The problem with social cowering is that the children although watch the movies or play the games under adult supervision yet they do not fully understand the limits or even are sometimes confused while distinguishing the wrong and right. The parents can also take part in parallel play. 8Parallel play is a part of multitasking. Parallel play means as the term suggests that the parents play with the kids by simultaneously working. This is one of the best methods for keeping a track of what the children are doing along with completing own work. Parallel play helps the parents to work and simultaneously spend time with their kids. But the best known tactics to get to supervise the children while interacting with them is by playing alongside with the kids by asymmetric joint media engagement.9 The asymmetric joint media engagement means playing with your kids. This action guarantees quality time, which the parents can spend with their children; also, they can simultaneously supervise what kind of games the children exposed. Thus, we can conclude that although continuous game playing on the computer or hand held devices and console is not good for health but there is no reason for parents to ban the videogames and stop the children from having fun. Learning is a part of growing up. The best way to learn is through interactive sessions and simulations.10 Therefore, the parents should take time to look after their kids themselves and supervise them than blindly banning video games. The problem of violence and other crimes are deep rooted than mere video games and it cannot be abolished from the society by just banning video games.11Banning videogames is not a solution to ending the problems visible in our society. 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