Video games are said to act in a positive way and even increase a player’s labor-intensive skill and computer literacy, but do video games truly help children’s brains function? Based on many extended studies, they actually cause many negative effects. This subject is debated constantly but by the evidence given, it is apparent that these video games, in most cases, can only cause bad.
Several studies show that video games, particularly ones with violent content, make teens much more aggressive. A portion of the increase in aggressive performance is linked to the amount of time children are permitted to play video games. Many children are exposed to these violent games around the U.S. and it truly causes just extensive problems. There was a study on this. The researchers established that “players who had prior experience playing violent video games responded with an increased level of aggression when they encountered confrontation” (Bushman & Anderson, 2002). The reason children are said to act up because of violent video games, is because they are making choices affecting the actions of the character and atmosphere they are imitating.
Not only do video games increase aggressive behavior but they also have other negative effects. “Research has documented negative effects of video games on children’s physical health, including obesity, video-induced seizures, and postural, muscular and skeletal disorders, such as tendonitis, nerve compression, and carpal tunnel syndrome (The Effects of Video Games on Children: What Parents Need to Know). Playing violent games leads to increased functional excitement, increased aggressive thoughts, increased aggressive feelings, increased aggressive behaviors, and decreased social helping. Video games can be fun but there are major consequences that come with them.
Emotionally strong children have high amounts of aggression and a strong capacity to experience rage. Unless children are free to experience their aggressions and anger, they cannot assert themselves on their own behalf; be appropriately competitive and ambitious; stand up for themselves when they have been wronged; and experience, stand and manage obstruction and disappointments. Because of all of the violence in the violent video games, children want to act out what they see and this results in them acting differently. An example of this is “Jonah is 4 years old. He has an assigned place for circle time in preschool. On this occasion, when he arrives at his circle time spot, he finds Kevin sprawled across his place. Jonah pushes Kevin aside, calling him a “dummyhead.” His teacher settles the resulting altercation, indicating her disappointment in both children’s behaviors (Integrating anger and aggression with other reactions).
Based on all of this it should be obvious that there are negative effects of video games. They are a part of our culture and are important economically. It is important that parents realize this and hopefully in the future there can be an alternative or a more effective way of playing video games without the negative effects.
http://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/general/media-web/videogames.html
http://www.pedsforparents.com/articles/2791.shtml
http://www.lucydanielscenter.org/page/do-violent-video-games-affect-children