Harmful, not Helpful

Throughout my childhood, I noticed a very apparent progression from being outside to inside. This change occurred mainly through the development of video games. As a child, I experienced the occasional game with my family and friends. This drastically increased with the inventions of new technology. My life began to revolve around video games and there was nothing better. My friends played them too and that is how I spent most of my time. My excuse to my parents was, "I am talking to my friends, it's ok!" Myself and almost every other American child runs into the same problem. "According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), obesity rates for adults have doubled and the rates for children have tripled just since 1980. I admit that we cannot blame this fact on video games alone. However, is it just a coincidence that it was during these same years that the market for video games began to boom?" These games created fun that I believed I would never recreate outside while playing with my dog. They allowed the average person to express their feelings without leaving their basement of even house. Like JP Honor says in her blog, obesity is a growing problem. As the years have progressed, many institutes and leaders have attempted to implement new programs to reduce this growing problem. Obesity is approaching the top of the list in killers. Is this a situation in which parents should begin to take a stand? Do they know that video games are harmful, not helpful.

"The Harmful Effects of Video Games on Children." 21 Nov 2009. Web. 3 Mar 2011. <http://jphonor.over-blog.com/article-the-harmful-effects-of-video-games-on-children-39802222.html>.

The Isolation Station

Before the inventions of the worldwide web and Xbox there was the beautiful outdoors where families spent quality time together cooking out or playing with the dog. Nowadays children find themselves socializing with their friends through a microphone instead of at the park. "Online multiplayer games typically encourage interaction between players: some go even as far as demanding it. Collaboration with other players may be a prerequisite for making progress in a game, or a game may be based on competition between players." This futuristic style of social interaction just poses another medium for children to stay in their homes. Children are placing video games on the forefront of their lives and are somehow maintaing social normality without being deprived of the good 'ol outdoors. "In addition to using the modes of communication offered by games, members of multiplayer communities may keep in touch face to face, over the phone, via email, or in IRC, Siitonen explains." How will children cope with the "Real" aspect of life in their adulthood? Although children are still in their prime and having a blast, should they be sheltered and told that this is alright?

"How Does Online Gaming Affect Social Interactions." Science Daily. 20 Sept 2007. Web. 1 Mar 2011.

Smallman, Wayne. "But video games are good for kids, right?" 7 Oct 2008. Blah, Blah! Technology. Web. 1 Mar 2011

Too Violent?

What is too violent? Before Xbox and GoogleTV there was just TV. TV allowed for the censorship of materials by parents and overall decided wether or not they wanted their children to view some of the violent outbreaks occuring in the media. Nowadays, children have the ability to view and even rewatch some of these events. One article states that, "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." This ability allows the child to view many violent and horrifying images.

Through video games, children can view and even partake in many gruesome events. "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
• sexual exploitation and violence toward women
• racial, sexual, and gender stereotypes
• foul language, obscenities, and obscene gestures

Video games are influencing children in a very poor manner, and it is becoming very hard for children to distinguish what is reality. The parents have the overall say in what their children can view. They are usually the suppliers of this corruption. Every child wants an Xbox or PS3 for Christmas. How can you resist the child's beady eyes that pierce through your soul to evoke sadness and forgiveness? All you do is get it for them and hope that the child does not fall to the temptations of VIRTUAL REALITY.

"Children and Video Games: Playing with Violence." American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Sept 1997. Web. 24 Feb 2011

Violence in Video Games. YouTube: 2009, Web. 3 Mar 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH38gqvPUuA&feature=player_embedded.

Parents Just Don't UNDERSTAND

[passing time with a video game]

Mom: Now don't believe what you see. This is all fiction.

Child: Do you really think I would jump out of a moving car, that just happens to be going over 200 miles an hour? Do you really think I would become a plumber in order to go rescue the girl of my dreams that just so happened to be kidnapped by an enraged, hormonal turtle? Mom! It's just a game.