Video Games: Good or Bad?

Video Games: Good or Bad?

The battle of researchers, depicting whether video games are beneficial or detrimental to children seems to be a new but ongoing argument. With advances in technology and the overwhelming effect of video game entertainment, whether on a computer, video game system, or hand-held device, it is increasingly difficult for parents to monitor their children while occupying their time playing these games. There is more negative research versus positive especially since the topic is just now being researched by psychiatrists, medical personnel, and educationists. Most of the information found on the internet and in publications is starting to take a turn for the positive due to the change in programming and game designs. In this paper we will discuss both sides of this issue with the intent of improving the knowledge of each person’s perspective and shedding some light on a topic that is still in its infancy with regard to research.

First we will discuss the many negative aspects of playing video games. According to several doctors, negative effects could include, but are not limited to: violence, failing school performance, lead to attention problems, or video game addiction (Prot, McDonald, Anderson, & Gentile, 2012, p.648). Violent games such as the “Grand Theft Auto” and “Ghost Recon” series give rewards for the most violence achieved in the game. Researchers believe this type of gameplay is not suitable for children as they begin to associate being bad or unruly with receiving rewards thus causing them to act this way in everyday life. Sometimes it isn’t just the action scenes in these games but many times it is the language associated with them. Failing school performance, attention problems,...

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...opriate for their child.

The writer believes that games are more useful than detrimental due to the new light on research conducted by people other than video game critics. These professionals have the capability to conduct actual research with children as opposed to critics who conduct their research via newspaper articles and public outcry. However, each person is able to make their own choice.

References

Canadian Council on Learning. (2009). The Video Game Debate: Bad for Behavior, Good for Learning? Lessons in Learning.

Nauert, R. (2014, March 26). Video Games Can Impact Kids for Good or Ill. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/03/26/video-games-can-impact-kids-for-good-or-ill/67632.html

Prot, S., McDonald, K., Anderson, C., & Gentile, D. (2012). Video Games: Good, Bad, or Other? Children, Adolescents, and the Media, 59(3).