Children and Video Games: Playing with Violence
Video gaming (playing video games) has become a popular activity for people of all ages. Many children and adolescents spend large amounts of time playing them. Video gaming is a multibillion-dollar industry – bringing in more money than movies and DVDs. Video games have become very sophisticated and realistic. Some games connect to the Internet, which can allow children and adolescents to play online with unknown adults and peers.
While some games have educational content, many of the most popular games emphasize negative themes and promote:
- the killing of people or animals
- the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol
- criminal behavior, disrespect for authority and the law
- racial, sexual, and gender stereotypes
- foul language, and obscene gestures
There is growing research on the effects of videogames on children. Some video games may promote learning, problem solving and help with the development of fine motor skills and coordination. However, there are concerns about the effect of violent video games on young people who play videogames excessively.
Studies of children exposed to violence have shown that they can become: “immune” or numb to the horror of violence, imitate the violence they see, and show more aggressive behavior with greater exposure to violence. Some children accept violence as a way to handle problems. Studies have also shown that the more realistic and repeated the exposure to violence, the greater the impact on children. In addition, children with emotional, behavioral and learning problems may be more influenced by violent images.
Children and adolescents can become overly involved and even obsessed with videogames. Spending large amounts of time playing these games can create problems and lead to:
- poor social skills
- time away from family time, school-work, and other hobbies
- lower grades and reading less
- exercising less, and becoming overweight
- aggressive thoughts and behaviors
Copyright © 2012 by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
___________________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS:
Read the text and share in this foro your answers to the following questions.
1. Acoording to the reading, write an advantage and a disadvantage of videogaming.
2. Write something new or interesting that you learned from this article.
3. Are you in favor or against to videogaming? Why?
