The Effects of Video Games on Childre

Gibson, Johnson, Pugh, Williams 1

Devona Gibson, Ashley Johnson,

Jessica Pugh, and Katrina Williams

Professor S. Ross

English 112

23 June 2011

"The Effects of Video Games on Children"

Most critics believe that too much television and video game playing for children can be harmful. Today's video games require players to pay attention to the television far more than a movie or sitcom. For years it has been said that, "Video games turn children's brains to mush." The fact that video games require prolonged attention has both positive and negative effects on children through gaming. Critics tend to focus on violent video games, ignoring the fact that not all video games contain violence, and video games actually help children develop necessary skills in this world today.

One of the main issues that critics of video games raise is that the violent games lead to aggressive behavior in children. It is true that in many games children are rewarded more for being violent, and the act of violence is done repeatedly. This consistent and active participation, repetition, and reward are effective tools for learning behavior. Los Angeles-based psychotherapist Robert Butterworth, PhD, states, "Boys need to slay dragons and play games with action figures and cowboys and Indians. They need to be in a fantasy where they are conquering heroes; suppressing this may have long-term effects that may not be good."

Gibson, Johnson, Pugh, Williams 2

Some critics argue that video games present false depictions of life. Reality and fantasy are both conjoined making fundamentals of life frivolous to the individual. The NYU Study Center states, "The games provide a high level of quick gratification. You are almost constantly being awarded and, when you lose, you get to easily start over to work on your goal." Quick gratification promotes impatience and thoughts of entitlement. Violent tendencies are more prevalent to those who play video games excessively. Parents should become more involved by verifying game ratings and placing time restrictions.

Some argue that video games do not exercise your child's imagination, and using imagination is important to developing creativity. Another issue is that too much video game playing makes your kid socially isolated. Critics claim that the child spends less time reading, doing homework, participating in sports, and spending time with family. A study conducted by the National Institute for Media and the Family suggests that video games can be addictive for kids and that this addiction increases their depression and anxiety levels.

What critics do not point out are the numerous skills that children obtain by playing video games. Most video games require quick thinking and fast analysis. According to researchers at the University of Rochester, games simulating stressful events such as those found in battle or action games could be